Community officially takes ownership of 220-year-old church

Villagers in Lochwinnoch have officially taken ownership of their 220-year-old parish church as they progress plans to turn it into a thriving community hub.

- EMYLIE HOWIE

Lochwinnoch Community Development Trust (LCDT) acquired the Grade A-listed Lochwinnoch Parish Church from the Church of Scotland on May 16.

The church, which closed at the start of the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, has remained unused ever since.

Rather than allowing the building that has been at the heart of village life for centuries to fall into disrepair, villagers mobilised and launched a series of funding bids, consultations and surveys in order to retain the asset for future generations.

Diarmid Harris, chair of LCDT, told the Express: “We have acquired the parish church, an iconic building, on behalf of the people of the village.

“Community ownership of this cultural heritage, and its restoration, will spur local innovation, creativity and economic growth.

“LCDT believes this revitalisation will benefit Lochwinnoch for generations.”