Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
It’s all systems go for radical church revamp
Cairnlea aim to raise more than a million for changes
Parishioners at Cairnlea Church in Airdrie are fundraising for a major remodelling of their place of worship and its surrounding halls.
The church trustees have gained planning permission for changes to their Johnston Street home – previously known as Flower hill Church – including the creation of a modern new community hub with cafe and potentially soft play facilities, as well as transforming the interior of the church and existing halls.
Now they are aiming to raise more than £1 million for the renovations – targeting completion of the four-phase project in 2021 to coincide with Airdrie’s 200th anniversary as a burgh.
Church minister Rev Peter Donald said: “It’s a really exciting programme for Cairnlea and for Airdrie; reaching this stage is a tribute to the congregation who have put in a huge amount of work so far.”
Members of the congregation showcased their “church for the future” plans at a special public event attended by community representatives last week, after planning consent was granted earlier this month.
It will see the interior of the main church building being remodelled, as well as the creation of accessible toilets, a reception area and multi-purpose room.
Rev Donald said: “The space at the moment is built on a slope – as many churches were at that time, almost like an amphitheatre – and has lots of fixed pews.
“We plan to level the floor, renew all the access and technology so it’s totally inclusive, and put in new seating which isn’t fixed so the space is great, not just for worship but for concerts, theatre and conferences.
“It’s a rather beautiful space which could be used much more than two or three days; the church is committed to serving the community so that’s very much in the thinking.”
The existing church halls would be repurposed and improved with a new kitchen, group room and storage areas; while the Hallcraig Street annexe, a former manse currently housing a smaller hall and facilities, would be demolished to be replaced by a redesigned community hub including a cafe, meeting room and offices.
Rev Donald added: “The hall is very fully used but is also a passageway through to the house; there are problems of access, and the 1929 annexe isn’t a great building. We’ll create ramps outside, improved kitchen and toilets, more environmentally friendly heating – and a much improved space which groups will be able to use more easily and effectively.
“Knocking down the annexe would create an exciting suite of new rooms in a community hub; there was a lot of consultation before starting with the plans and the congregation is already fundraising, which is vital.”
Cairnlea representatives will also be applying for grant and match funding for their project, which they presented to a busy audience of councillors and community groups last week to a “warm reception”.
The church was formed with the merger of Flowerhill and Broomknoll five years ago, and Rev Donald said: “The two congregations have come together for strength and growth, and now it’s about how to fit the buildings for the 21st century.”
Its B- listed place of worship was designed by Matthew Forsyth and completed in 1875.
North Lanarkshire planning officials noted “[ it] is of a better quality of design and finish than the buildings it would replace [ and] although of a contemporary style [ is] sympathetically and carefully considered”.
They added that the plans “will give the church modern standard of flexible functionality and access” and “the proposed extension and alterations will safeguard the future of this prominent and important listed building”.