The most senior Church of Scotland cleric visited an historic Aberdeen church to rededicate it after a £1.5million refurbishment.
Moderator General the Right Rev Russell Barr led the special service at Mannofield Church in the city’s west end.
A large congregation filled the building to attend the celebration with Rev Barr and the church’s minister, Rev Keith Blackwood, yesterday morning.
Rev Barr unveiled a special plaque to commemorate the occasion and highlighted the hard work that had been carried out to bring the Victorian church into the 21st century.
The project to renovate Mannofield Church lasted eight years, and involved extensive remedial work to the roof, steeple, clock face, brickwork and other areas.
A new welcome foyer at the front with glass doors into the sanctuary, have also been installed along with new toilets, office space and a vestry which allows access into other parts of the building.
The church’s audio visual system has also been upgraded, and space has been set aside for a community cafe to be established the near future.
Rev Barr said: “A huge amount of effort has been spent refurbishing the church buildings and making them fit for the congregation’s purpose in the 21st century.”
The church’s congregation raised nearly £1million for the venture, and the project also received £250,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, as well as £180,000 from other trusts.
Rev Blackwood added: “I have been blessed with a kirk session committed to a vision for congregational life that goes beyond buildings and the traditional church model.
“It recognised the need for the church to adapt and be more proactive in our community.
“I will forever be in gratitude to a congregation that has been relentless in its desire to raise the money to meet the costs of the building project.”
