A landmark Perth church is on the brink of a new era with work poised to begin on a near-£1 million project.
The Rev Scott Burton confirmed ambitious plans for a new welcome area, heating system and alterations to make the sanctuary accessible to all will proceed at St Matthew’s.
“The target was £925,000 and with the £805,000 we have thus far raised in funds, major physical transformation will now actually take place,” said Mr Burton.
Although a shortfall remains, he said that there are several applications to trusts still being considered and whatever happens, the project will proceed.
“We have always said we would cut our cloth to fit our budget,” he said. “There are continual deliberations about the design.”
The reconfiguration of the sanctuary will mean that it will become a much more flexible area that will better serve the wider community, acting as a venue for a variety of uses.
Mr Burton was full of praise for the people whose unstinting work has turned the vision into a reality.
“The congregation have stepped up to the plate,” he said. “There has been a lot of fundraising and local businesses supported us; we are very grateful.”
The Heritage Lottery Fund provided £250,000 for the project and local trusts were also great supporters, with the Forteviot trust providing £100,000 and the Jimmie Cairncross trust £50,000, followed by a further £20,000.
Mr Burton said as they were within “touching distance” of the final total, any additional help would be welcome.
Mr Burton said the project’s journey echoed a phrase used to describe the initial planning of the iconic Tay Street church back in the 1860s.
“It was a wonderful phrase: ‘undaunted the congregation decided to press ahead’,” he said.
Although the church building dates to 1871, St Matthew’s was formed in 1965 in a four-way union when the Wilson Memorial and Bridged churches were demolished and the Middle Church closed. It houses stained glass windows and memorials from the other churches.
“We do not want the church just to survive, we want it to thrive and I believe it will,” he added.