AROUND 170 people turned up for a meeting at Crieff Parish Church last Tuesday to vote on whether the church should be moved from the St Michael’s building to St Andrew’s across the road.
Church trustees made the interim judgement in June, with the transfer to St Andrew’s Halls deemed to be the most favourable solution in the meantime whilst money could be raised to build a new multifunctional building that could accommodate both worship and community activities.
This followed a three-year study into the rising costs and burdens involved in maintaining both the St Michael’s and St Andrew’s structures.
However, the majority of members attending Tuesday’s meeting firmly believed that it was still possible to maintain both buildings and the matter will now be referred back to the Kirk Session who will meet to discuss the issue next week.
St Michael’s, which requires a new heating system and toilets, is said to be unfit for the purposes of church and community in the 21st century in its present state.
Independent consultants carried out a survey of both edifices and the results showed that the total cost of adapting and extending the existing framework at St Michael’s was almost £1,484,580, with seating capacity reduced from around 600 to 430; whereas St Andrew’s adaptions and extensions would run to £1,116,840.
Neither option was thought to be favourable, and the trustees instead opted for a new build, which at its present costing would be in the region of £1,624,000.
But until money could be raised for such a venture, the trustees decided that the congregation should meet for worship in St Andrew’s, which has already been upgraded and is regularly used for events.
At the time the parish minister Rev. Jim Macdonald said the situation was “far from ideal” but would provide for the needs of the present congregation.
