St John the Evangelist in Barrhead has secured vital funding to help rescue the landmark building from serious deterioration caused by years of water ingress.
The striking Catholic church has been battling leaking gutters, brickwork and windows, which have allowed water to seep into the interior walls. The damage has led to damp, crumbling plaster and flooring issues, raising concerns that without intervention the building could eventually become unsafe to use.
The church is more than a place of worship. It acts as a lifeline for local residents, hosting activities ranging from Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and children’s drama classes to the Tuesday Friendship Club, which supports more than 120 people with special needs. The hall is also home to community events, including a recent fundraiser for Barrhead Boxing Club, and the church itself plays a central role in family occasions such as baptisms, communions, weddings and funerals.
Local parishioners feared that if the building continued to decline, demolition might eventually be considered in favour of a smaller, cheaper structure — a move they believe would have a devastating impact on the wider community. The church and its bell tower form one of Barrhead’s most recognisable landmarks, visible from the east as you enter the town.
Help has now arrived in the form of a £10,000 grant from the National Churches Trust, part of a wider £900,000 fund set aside to help keep UK churches open and in use.
The grant will support the first phase of repairs, estimated at £900,000 overall, to make the building wind- and watertight. The work includes fixing leaking roofs and gutters.
Claire Walker, Chief Executive of the National Churches Trust, said: “The National Churches Trust is delighted to be able to support St John the Evangelist church to enable them to carry out urgent repairs to their beautiful building. This will help to keep the church building open and serving local people.”
“Whether seeking quiet reflection, access to community services or a place to worship, the National Churches Trust helps hundreds of churches each year and with the support of local people, keeps them thriving today and tomorrow.”
Monsignor John Tormey, Parish Priest at St John the Evangelist, welcomed the award.
“As parish priest of this wonderful community of St John’s Barrhead, I am delighted to receive this grant from the National Churches Trust, which will help us to begin much needed restoration work on our parish church.”
“The decision to repair the church and not demolish it has meant so much to my parishioners, who are fully committed to raising all the funds we need for this stage one of our restoration work, which will make the building wind and watertight.”
He added that fundraising is already under way within the parish.
“We have already engaged in many fundraising initiatives so that we can complete stage one as soon as possible. We will then start stage two to improve the heating, lighting and flooring in the church, and to repaint the whole church so that it can be restored to its former beauty. We are immensely grateful to all those who, like National Churches Trust, have contributed to this worthy cause.”
The National Churches Trust says its research shows that for every £1 invested in a church building, £16 of social good is generated. Across the UK, churches provide an estimated £55 billion of social value through community activities — services which would cost the NHS more than £8 billion to deliver.
This is the second Barrhead church to receive support from the Trust this year. St Andrew’s was awarded a grant in July to help repair its roof.
St John the Evangelist has a long history in the town. The original church, built in 1841, was destroyed by fire in 1941. The current building opened in 1961 and still houses the original church bell, rung daily. Its distinctive green copper roof and tall bell tower make it one of Barrhead’s most recognisable buildings, visible from miles around.
Photo credit: Fr John Tormey
Photo credit: Billy McCrorie
Photo credit: Billy McCrorie
Photo credit: Billy McCrorie
Photo credit: Alan Reid