Concerns have been raised for the future of one of Perth’s most iconic and most photographed historic buildings.
Images of St Matthew’s Church feature prominently when Perth is depicted on the local, national and international stage.
Its minister, the Rev Scott Burton, has, however, warned the people of Perth that they cannot take the landmark building for granted.
The church has made a near £1 million appeal to the city to help pay for vital repairs to the place of worship and its spire and this week it rebooted its fundraising campaign.
The Big Ask urges locals to text the message MATT02 £5 to 70070 to pledge their financial backing, and an accompanying video, which can be viewed at www.stmatts.org.uk, has been watched by hundreds.
Hundreds of businesses have also been contacted by the minister in a bid to secure even more significant financial backing.
Unfortunately, Mr Burton has been left cold by the lukewarm response from firms, with just a fraction of the required funding in place.
A significant proportion of that is in the form of pledges, meaning that it is not yet money upon which the appeal can rely.
Mr Burton knows that the target is, indeed, “a big ask” and he has spoken of the “personal financial sacrifice” that he has asked of generous congregation members.
He now hopes to focus the minds of the city’s people upon the cause as he believes that, without significant investment, the church will soon no longer be fit for purpose.
He said: “You do not have to go far in Perth to see a photograph of St Matthew’s Church. Just imagine Tay Street without its spire.
“We do, however, need the support of the wider community to secure the church’s future viability.”
He said the congregation had been “amazing” but added: “We are in the position that we have £325,000, not the £915,000 we need. Of that, £171,000 is in pledges and so we could yet lose some.
“We have written 500 letters to businesses in Perth but have had a poor response so far and so I again ask the people of the Fair City to support this worthy cause.”
In addition to the usual repairs for a large and elderly building, St Matthews has long faced some unusual additional bills.
For some years now, the 212ft church spire has been used as a hunting station for the peregrine falcons that nest on the rocky cliff face of Kinnoull Hill.
The birds of prey regularly make their way across the Tay to swoop down upon prey from their lofty religious vantage point overlooking Tay Street.
They kill mostly sparrows and pigeons and their presence has led to a great deal of interest in the church over the years.
Unfortunately, they also contribute to a great deal of mess, with the spire and church fouled by droppings and carcases. That has led to a significant bill for the church and one that it can ill afford.