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Renovation Appeal 2008 - 09
After 115 years of continuous service, our fine Church building is long overdue
a major overhaul of its fabric. Designed by the well known Glasgow architect James Miller and originally built with great
craftsmanship by the local Episcopalian slate quarry workers for whom it was their place of worship, St Mary’s is a
prominent landmark in today’s tourist village of Aberfoyle.
Our Church building is suffering from crumbling stonework, rusting windows, subsidence under the porch,
and peeling paintwork. Ventilation to the floor needs to be improved and the entire roof overhauled. As part of our commitment
to Scotland’s Churches Scheme, St Mary’s needs to provide better toilet and other facilities for disabled access,
as well as visitor information interpreting the history of the church and its renovation. In addition, our very good Binns
/ Willis pipe organ, generously donated by Harvey Black in the 1950s, requires major restoration and can then be used by visiting
organists for future concert recitals in the Church. On completion of the project, the paintwork of the
Church exterior will be restored to its original colour scheme, thus enhancing the scenic importance of the building.
Overall, our aim is to safeguard the fabric of St Mary’s for another 100 years.
Following a full fabric survey in 2005, the Vestry has appointed Simpson
& Brown, a leading firm of conservation architects, to oversee the Church renovation project. A complete
set of architectural drawings and a separate illustrated report on the repairs to the masonry, windows and nave floor prepared
by Simpson & Brown can be made available.
The work required to carry out this renovation programme, including full repairs to the organ, has been estimated
to cost £330,000 allowing for inflation. Of this £48,000 will be covered by refund of VAT under the Listed Places
of Worship grant scheme, and we have £25,000 in a separate fund for organ repairs from an insurance claim. The Heritage
Lottery Fund has awarded St Mary’s a Stage 1 grant allocation of £105,000 for fabric repairs in addition to £6,000
for project development costs under the Repair Grants for Places of Worship scheme.
The Vestry has launched a public Renovation Appeal to raise £150,000.
Of this
target, £65,000 has already been raised by St Mary’s own congregation. from pledges and donations. This is
increased to £79,00 after Gift Aid has been claimed. A further £3,000 has been raised from fundraising events
.
Significant grants have been confirmed by the Scottish Episcopal Church from its Maintenance & Development
Fund, the Scottish Churches Architectural Heritage Trust and several other trust funds.
As of October 2008 we are within £9,000 of the appeal
target.
Work on the project started on site on 20th Octber. scaffolding has been reected around the Church.
The organ has been dismanteld so as to gicve access to teh side chapel. Work on the roof will start shortly.
We
need YOUR help to raise the remaining £9,000. You can make a personal donation NOW to the Appeal fund by just clicking on this link . Thank you for your support.
For more information on the renovation
project, please contact the Treasurer, Easter Stonefield, Port of Menteith, Stirling FK8 3RD
October 2008
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