Over the past few months the Project Group responsible for the proposed work at the Church in Fraser Place, have been busy in the background preparing applications and plans. They are now able to report that the Presbytery and the General Trustees have approved the plans and they have supported an application for Loan to help us start the work.

This means we can look in detail at the work to be done and the proposals with the architects and our advisers. It also means we can start looking at builders to do the work. There are a number of details in the work that the Project group would like to consult the Congregation about and details will be provided soon.

The project will be paid for from monies already gathered in from fundraising and gifts along with Special Project Money (some of which we would hope to replace) and the loan we have taken from the General Trustees. The loan has to be repaid over a six year period or sooner. This is why we have sent out the APPEAL LETTER to every member of the Congregation to give each one of us the opportunity of supporting this work. We have also sought some help from the Loaves and Fishes surplus Fund along with some surplus funds from our catering group and some surplus funds from the General Fund of the Congregation.  

If all goes to plan it is hoped work should start in the Spring of next year and be completed by mid-summer.
 

For almost two years now Kemnay Parish Church of Scotland has been seeking approval for work to be done in the Church building at Fraser Place. We are pleased that approval has now been given locally from the Church Congregational Board, responsible for financial and fabric matters, regionally by the Presbytery and now nationally by the General Trustees of the Church of Scotland. This means the work of making improvements to the building can proceed.

The Church building in Kemnay is used very much by the community for school visits as well as parish funerals and weddings.  It is a valuable asset to our village life. You may remember a time when you have gained solace at a service or joined family and friends for a celebration. Apart from small charges for music and cleaning of the Church, the services of minister and the use of the building are free to all who live within the Parish. 

Work has already been carried out to provide disabled access, a disabled toilet and to replace some wooden windows. The next stage includes providing improved heating and lighting as well as seating. There will be better audiovisual equipment for use in services. In all, the plans aim to make the building more attractive and comfortable.

One of the things we agreed at the outset was that nothing of architectural value would be changed and whatever was done would be sympathetic with what is one of the most attractive churches in the North East of Scotland. Many people have been pleasantly surprised with what was done with the old church halls on the hill when they were transformed into a modern Church Centre with coffee bar and halls that are in regular use for community groups and family celebrations. The same high standards of furnishing finishes will be used at the Church building at Fraser Place. 

All of this will cost a great deal. The Congregation have been fundraising and have raised about 27% of the cost through a number of events. About 30% will come from funds set aside for a special project such as this. This means about 43% of the cost is still to be found. The Congregation are being invited to contribute to the work this month. It was also felt that there might be members of the community who would also like to support this work and help provide better facilities for the community of Kemnay. If you would like more information about how you can help, please contact us:

Church office 01467 643883   kemnay.church@btconnect.com

or Dr Sheila Simpson:  sheila@timeless-images.co.uk

Proposed alterations giving flexible layouts

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Kemnay Parish Church of Scotland ~ Scottish Charity Number SC014790