A campaign to save one of Cupar’s historic landmarks has helped to unite the local community.
Fundraisers are trying to find a further £20,000 to pay for extensive repairs to the 135-year-old spire of St John’s Parish Church. Around £350,500 has already been raised for the work.
Church minister the Rev Jan Steyn said: “When you work with buildings of this age, you have to realise that some upkeep will have to be done.
“It’s not good news we have to do something but right from the start we said we have to do it and the church as a community and people in the town have come together.
“It’s created a wonderful sense of being together, of fun and laughter, and drawn a lot of people closer. It could have been a negative experience but it’s been a wonderful, positive thing.
“One lady in the congregation opened a second-hand shop, where people brought stuff in they wanted to get rid of to be sold. She raised something like £3,000.”
Cupar St John’s provides a base for many activities including support groups, children’s drama, keep fit, badminton and Cupar Choral.
Mr Steyn added: “A lot of people benefit from using the space and it’s Cupar’s highest spire, so it’s a little bit of a landmark in the town.”
The congregations of Cupar St John’s and Dairsie Church merged in 2009 and the churches are now known as Cupar St John’s and Dairsie United Parish Church.
Although the spire does not pose any imminent health and safety problems, its deterioration means work must be carried out soon to prevent the landmark from being lost to the congregation, and the town.
So far grants of £150,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, £125,000 from Historic Scotland and £20,000 from the general trustees of the Church of Scotland have been pledged, in addition to donations from the congregation.
The project is being overseen by Benjamin Tindall Architects Ltd of Edinburgh. It will involve replacing decaying timbers, providing safe access to the belfry and reinstating the weathervane.