In response to requests to learn the background to the annexe being built at Kilmelford Church, here is a brief account.
From 2004 to 2008 around £120,000 was raised in two separate appeals by the congregations of the Parish of Kilninver and Kilmelford and further afield for the essential restoration work needed on both buildings.
Part of the fundraising activity which included – among other events in the case of Kilmelford, a 100 mile motorcycle circuit through Glencoe starting and finishing in Kilmelford and a sponsored Swimathon – was the publication in 2009 of a booklet relating the history of the two churches. Both are linked to the early Christians who arrived around 1300 years ago from Ireland, bringing the word of God to isolated settlements. In the foreword our minister at the time, the Rev. Alastair McLachlan, wrote. “I have been gratified to witness the commitment of the communities, the fellowship and support from near and far, and the generosity of so many people”.
Commitment and support has not diminished over the years since and some eight years after the restoration work was completed, attention turned to the oft repeated question of when were there going to be toilet facilities and proper wheelchair access at Kilmelford Church. Indeed, some people’s donations at the time were conditional upon such provision. A recently installed outside tap was the only nod to ‘modern facilities’.
2017 saw a small group of enthusiasts formed with the support of our minister, the Rev. Ken Ross. Thus started a lengthy process, with discussions progressing over the months from the initial proposal being contained within the church building (alarmingly, one suggestion was a curtained off area by the main entrance at the back of the church) until settling on the more ambitious structure of an annexe outwith the church itself.
In 2019 we were given a terrific boost with the award of £35,000 from an annual holiday visitor to Kilmelford who wished to show enthusiastic support to us in the early stages of the project and was a very welcome morale booster to our small group dedicated to seeing the project through.
After a fairly lengthy process an architect was appointed, plans submitted and permission granted in August 2020. By this time Ken Ross had left and we were seeking another minister. This process was interrupted as the Nominating Committee was sisted (suspended) owing to the wider reorganisation of the Church during that period, coupled with Covid which resulted in further delay.
Nevertheless, in spite of these challenges the work of the group forged ahead and with Building Warrant finally obtained, we were in a position by Spring 2023 to start widespread fundraising in earnest. Rev. Trudi Newton was ordained and inducted to be minister of Netherlorn in November 2023.
Legal work relating to the relocation of fank and adjustment of glebe land being finalised, allowed the diggers to move in on 4th November 2024. Groundwork was finished before Christmas ready for the timber frame construction in February and completion due in the Summer.
We are currently short of our target figure but, given the tremendous support and enthusiasm engendered, we are cautiously optimistic that funds will continue to come in to allow us to complete our task.
The prospect of proper wheelchair access, up to the minute toilet facilities and a large and bright meeting room with heritage boards, while allowing the familiar and much loved sanctuary to be untouched, is very exciting and a suitable reward for all the hard work of the Annexe Group over the years.
The expansion of the church in Kilmelford in this way is ample evidence that “the commitment of the communities, the fellowship and support from near and far, and the generosity of so many people” still bears witness to the presence of Christ in today’s Church and its work in the wider community.