Latest news with #FriendsOfCampsieHighKirk
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Historic Lennoxtown church building set to become community arts centre
A historic church building is set to begin a new chapter as a community arts centre. Campsie High Kirk, a 200-year-old building in Lennoxtown, will be formally handed over to the community in a ceremony on Wednesday, July 9, as part of a major restoration project. The church will be transformed into an arts hub under the Ownerless Property Transfer Scheme (OPTS), launched last year by the King's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer (KLTR). (Image: James Fallan) The building will be formally handed over to East Dunbartonshire Provost Gillian Renwick during the ceremony. John Logue, the KLTR, said: "The Friends of Campsie High Kirk presented a really compelling case for not only rescuing this magnificent building from further decline but also providing a community arts hub with the potential to give a huge economic and cultural boost to the Lennoxtown area. Read more: Retired firefighter from Glasgow awarded British Empire Medal for 60 years of service "We are delighted to see the opportunities provided by the OPTS used in this way and look forward to watching the transformation." The Friends of Campsie High Kirk secured ownership for £1 plus transfer costs. (Image: James Fallan) Craig Brooks, chair of the group, said: "It's not just about saving a building. "It's about something much bigger. "It's about communities being empowered by those in a position to give them the tools to make it happen. "That applies from government right down to communities like ours." The OPTS allows community groups and local authorities to apply for ownerless properties if they can show public benefit and community support. Since its launch, the scheme has helped deliver green spaces, affordable housing, and a community hub. Campsie High Kirk was designed in the early 19th century by Glaswegian architect David Hamilton.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Historic Scots church given back to community in 'landmark' move under new scheme
A 200-year-old church will be renovated into a community arts hub after it is formally transferred to the local community this week. Campsie High Kirk is at the heart of Lennoxtown and will be handed over to locals on Wednesday as part of the new Ownerless Property Transfer Scheme. The scheme was launched last year by the King's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer (KLTR) and the Campsie High Kirk decision is the culmination of a flagship case. It has now been hailed as a 'landmark moment in Scotland's heritage-led regeneration journey'. The church is one of Scotland's best-known kirks and was used for worship until the 1970s and then it was ravaged by fire in 1984. It will be handed over by the KLTR to East Dunbartonshire Provost Gillian Renwick in a ceremony on Wednesday morning. The church will be transformed into a community hub (Image: James Fallan) The transfer will take place after the Friends of Campsie High Kirk applied to acquire the building from the KLTR for the nominal sum of £1 plus costs. The scheme provides opportunities for properties which have fallen to the Crown as ownerless to be brought back into use for the benefit of local communities. Applicants must demonstrate that the planned use is supported by the community, sustainable and in the public interest. Read More Historic and famous Lennoxtown church to transformed into community hub He said: 'The Friends of Campsie High Kirk presented a really compelling case for not only rescuing this magnificent building from further decline but also providing a community arts hub with the potential to give a huge economic and cultural boost to the Lennoxtown area. 'We are delighted to see the opportunities provided by the OPTS used in this way and look forward to watching the transformation.' Craig Brooks, Chair of the Friends of Campsie High Kirk, said: 'It's not just about saving a building. It's about something much bigger. It's about communities being empowered by those in a position to give them the tools to make it happen. "That applies from government right down to communities like ours.'
