Upgrading of the facilities in the Church complex at Viewpark Parish Church has been ongoing for some time and in recent years this work has been called the View21 Project.
Work on a number of smaller projects began during the ministry of Rev Scott McKenna – the Upper Room, the disabled facilities and the Sanctuary windows. These projects led us to seeking grant funding, a new experience for us and gave us some confidence along with a desire to tackle bigger issues.
The desire to take on a more fundamental reshaping of our buildings was continued under Rev Michael Lyall’s leadership.
The View 21 Phase I Project involved the remodelling and refurbishment of the Sanctuary in 2007/2008 following damage to the Church ceiling. This phase involved stripping out the pews, re-plastering the ceiling and walls, installing a new heating system and providing new furniture for the Church – communion table, pulpit, lectern and baptismal font. The total cost of this phase was about £250,000, half of which was provided by external grant funding and half by the congregation. The entire cost was met and no debt accrued to Phase I.
Phase II was an altogether more ambitious project. This involved demolishing the link between the Church and the Large Hall and infilling the space created between the 2 buildings. This phase of the works, at a cost of about £650,000, marks a major upgrading of the facilities as part of the Church’s mission and outreach to the wider community. The centrepiece of the development is a cafeteria, The View Café, an attractive eating and meeting place, intended to provide a much needed social heart to the community and parish, providing good food at reasonable prices and already becoming a popular place. The facilities also include a large new multi-purpose space, that can be used for conferences, meetings and activities, and a Library/Quiet Room where people can relax and read in a quiet, restful space. A new Church office, toilets and vestry complete the accommodation.
This phase of the development beautifully complements the Phase 1 works related to the Sanctuary. The Architect has managed to blend the new, modern area with the existing 1890’s and 1950’s areas on either side with considerable flair.
The funding of this Phase of the works was substantially helped by a wide range of trust bodies contributing almost £300,000 to the total cost (General Trustees, Presbytery of Hamilton, WREN, Biffa, Environmental Key Fund, Viridor, Gannochy Trust, Robertson Trust, All Churches Trust, Baird Trust, Ferguson Bequest Fund, Bellahouston Bequest Fund, Tunnocks). The Congregation raised over £200,000 towards the total.
To complete the funding package a loan of £200,000 was negotiated with the General Trustees, a loan that requires to be paid off over the next few years. Major fundraising activities along with the givings of the congregation help to defray the loan. All donations and support for fundraising activities are greatly appreciated.
In September 2014 the Church received £4,500 from Viridor Credits Environmental Company towards the cost of replacing the floor of the Large Hall. The floor of the Large Hall was in urgent need of replacement given the heavy wear and tear – understandable since the floor was first laid in 1958! The new floor has made a significant improvement not only to the appearance of the Large Hall generally but has also made a significant difference to the many users of the Large Hall. Viridor has supported previous works at Viewpark Parish Church and the Church is again grateful for Viridor’s generosity.