Major project looks to protect town church for next 125 years

The church near Largs seafront has scaffolding outside its exterior as further improvements are carried out to allay safety concerns.

A recent survey showed that the steel joists supporting the bell winding mechanism in the tower were badly corroded.

Reverend David Watson explained: "The steel beams supporting the bell winding mechanism are corroding after 125 years of use.

"They need to be replaced as a safety issue. The work will be carried out in August."

Rev Watson added: "In the interests of safety, these joists will be replaced over the next few weeks. The bell winding mechanism, which was installed in 1891, is very much part of the church's heritage. After this work is completed, it is hoped that the bells can be rung again on a regular basis."

Last year, the iconic church underwent a £140,000 facelift after almost 130 years of weather damage began to take its toll on the Victorian building.

The works were to preserve the stain glassed windows and sandstone structure.

It is hoped the revamp will preserve the huge church - which would cost around £30m to build now due to its size and scale - for generations to come.

Revered Watson added: "Global warming and climate change have give the building a real battering over the years.

"The church when it was built in 1892 and is believed to have cost £30,000 at the time, which was quite a sum of money, although it would cost a hundred times that these days to erect a church of this size in any town."

A grant £54,100 has been secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for conservation repairs and improvements.

In addition, Historic Environment Scotland is providing a grant of £81,100.

Gifted by John Clark of the Anchor Thread Mills in Paisley, and designed by William Kerr of T G Abercrombie, the red sandstone build was designed in early English gothic style with superb stained glass, all manufactured in Glasgow at height of arts and crafts movement.