Project Status: Development
Project Background
LCDT purchased the Lochwinnoch Parish Church from the Church of Scotland in May 2025, supported by grant funding from the Scottish Land Fund. The Grade-A listed sandstone church has been at the heart of the village for 200 years.
Before its closure in the spring of 2020, the building was regularly open throughout the week, hosting community groups and performances as part of Lochwinnoch’s Arts Festival. As a place of worship, it was home to a dwindling yet devoted congregation that was left devastated by its closure. Since then, the church has remained empty, although it continues to be cared for by keyholders.
Faced with the threat of losing this historic building to disrepair, the villagers banded together into action. The purchase of the Parish Church is the result of extensive planning, consultation, and fundraising activities led by LCDT.
Project Aims
Supported through community consultation, LCDT aims to restore this historic building as a welcoming space for the community to enjoy once more.
This project aims to:
- Purchase and transform the church into a thriving community hub.
- Provide a space for developing projects and activities that contribute to healthy and happy lives.
- Promote a sustainable environment that brings benefits to residents and visitors.
- Attract visitors to the village, boosting trade for local shops and businesses.
- Create spaces and opportunities that strengthen togetherness and reduce social isolation.
- Drive social and economic value through intentional community development.
- Recognise, preserve and promote the culture and heritage of Lochwinnoch.
Future Development
The purchase and preliminary works have been made possible through a combination of grant funding, including £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 towards restoration and conservation works and £10,000 from the Architectural Heritage Fund for consultancy services, including business planning and fundraising strategy.
The project’s next phase involves working with architects to find the best way to resurrect the church so it can best serve the community. The local community will need to raise approximately £1 million through other funders and community fundraising options, including community shares.
The LCDT aims to have a design team in place by September 2025, with building works expected to take approximately two years to complete. The active community garden in the church grounds will continue to operate throughout this period
Community Consultation
With funding from the Architectural Heritage Fund, LCDT surveyed residents to understand:
- The support for community ownership among people in Lochwinnoch
- The potential to use the building in a way that benefits the
community - The potential for the building to be run in a financially sustainable way
Read the full report here
