Bridge of Allan’s St Saviour’s Church has reopened after a £387,000 refurbishment.
The Episcopal church had been closed for almost two years to allow the work to take place.
It included re-roofing, new lighting, floor refurbishment, drainage work and modifications to choir, clergy and washroom areas.
Grants from Historic Environment Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund contributed to the cost of the project.
There are also plans to sell the church hall and rectory, in the church grounds, to save costs.
The landmark mid 19th century building, which stands at the junction of Fountain Road and Keir Street, was listed Grade-B in 1977 and is in the Bridge of Allan Conservation Area.
A St Saviour’s spokesperson said this week: “The congregation is at last getting to see the refurbished inside of St Saviour’s, after a long absence during which renovation work was taking place followed by church closures right across the country during lockdown.
“For the past year, church members have only been able to look at photographs of the refurbished interior, but the doors were re-opened for worship three weeks ago and people could at last see for themselves the work that has been completed.
“The new multi-function church space will be used for worship, sanctuary and community purposes.
“Vestry members have made further plans for the future at St Saviour’s with a proposal to sell the church hall and rectory, and use the proceeds to buy a new rectory which will require less maintenance than the existing building.
“However, that plan is on hold until 2022 as St Saviour’s focuses on addressing the changing situation around pandemic restrictions.”
Members of the St Saviour’s congregation were impressed by the work, and are delighted to be able to attend church services once more following lockdown restrictions.
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Lay reader at St Saviour’s Nick Price said: “After very nearly two years, we have finally been able to return to worship in our beautiful refurbished church building.
“Although the Covid restrictions are somewhat irksome, there are so many positives about feeling part of a worshipping community once again. We look forward to being able to sing as a congregation in the near future.”
Congregation member Cedric Davies added: “After so long without our church because of refurbishment and then lockdown it is rather special to be able to resume our Sunday worship.
“The most relaxing aspect for me is to feel that rather special peace that only seems possible inside a church.”
