The new Cumbrae Parish Church will boast multi-media facilities and will be a ‘true gift to the community’.
Ambitious plans to build the new £1 million church are fast becoming a reality after a massive fundraising effort on the island.
The congregation has raised around £200,000 and has secured grants towards the new single storey, multi-purpose building which is scheduled to open this summer.
The General Trustees of the Church of Scotland has allocated £120,000 - comprised of an interest free loan and a grant - to the project, which will have capacity for 140 worshippers.
In his own words, Reverend Fleming, who took over as minister of Cumbrae Parish and St John’s Church in Largs as a joint linkage, provides a glimpse into the life of a minister responsible for a mainland and island parish.
He said: “Excitement is growing as the new church building begins construction with a view to being completed by the summer.”
“For the last few years, Cumbrae Parish Church has met to worship in the Age Concern Hall or DA Hall in the Garrison Grounds in Millport where recently the hall has been almost full on Sundays.”
“The new church in Millport will be a lot more than a place of worship.
“Through the hard work of Cumbrae’s New Church Focus Group, their locum, Reader Nicky Smith and their previous minister, Rev Markus Thane, who tragically passed away a couple of years ago, the vision of Cumbrae Parish Church not being just for Sundays is soon to be a reality.”
“Cumbrae Parish Church hopes that their new building will be a true gift to the community with multi-purpose space, multimedia facilities and kitchen space. A place that we want to see used by organisations and groups from across the island.
“With a new church building on the island and a brand new school campus in Largs due to open in the spring, it is an exciting time.”
“As the minister of a linkage, my goal is to allow both congregations to maintain their own identities, while doing all they can to support each other in presence and prayer.”