Villagers in Lochwinnoch purchased the 220-year-old Parish Church that was at risk of being lost forever. The plan is to transform it into a vibrant community hub.
On the 16th of May 2025, the Lochwinnoch Community Development Trust (LCDT) acquired the Grade A-listed Lochwinnoch Parish Church from the Church of Scotland. This marks a significant milestone for community ownership across Scotland.
The church, which closed at the start of the COVID-19 lockdown in Easter 2020, has remained unused since then. Instead of letting this historic building, at the heart of village life for centuries, fall into disrepair, the villagers mobilised. This purchase represents the culmination of extensive planning, consultation, and fundraising activities led by the LCDT.
We have purchased Lochwinnoch Parish Church, an iconic building, on behalf of the people of the village. Community ownership of this cultural heritage and its restoration will spur local innovation, creativity, and economic growth. LCDT believes this revitalisation will benefit Lochwinnoch for generations. “
Diarmid Harris, Chair of LCDT
Tom Arthur, SNP MSP for Renfrewshire South, welcomed the news.
This is a tremendous achievement by the people of Lochwinnoch and the dedicated team at LCDT. The preservation of our cherished historic buildings, combined with their transformation into vibrant community spaces, captures the essence of what community empowerment is all about. I’ve been delighted to support this project and look forward to seeing how this beautiful building will once again serve as a beating heart for Lochwinnoch, bringing people together and creating opportunities for generations to come.”
The purchase and preliminary works were made possible thanks to various grants. These include £233,300 from the Scottish Land Fund for the purchase, £198,250 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the design phase, £500,000 from Historical Environment Scotland for restoration and conservation works, and £10,000 from the Architectural Heritage Fund for consultancy services, including business planning and fundraising strategy.
Lochwinnoch Parish Church: Next Steps for the Community
Now, the project moves into the next phase. Consequently, we are working with architects to find the best ways to revive the church and serve the community. However, the local community will still need to raise approximately £1 million through other funders and community fundraising options, including community shares.
Our goal is to have a design team in place by September 2025. We expect building works to take approximately two years to complete. Nevertheless, the active community garden in the church grounds will continue to operate throughout this period.
Read more about the project: Lochwinnoch Parish Church
