A much-loved Aberdeen church is to share in a £351,500 heritage funding boost from the National Churches Trust.
A £15,000 National Churches Trust Grant will help to pay for much needed community facilities for Crown Terrace Methodist Church in Aberdeen. The money will help pay for the replacement of kitchen facilities, ensuring the church building can thrive today and tomorrow.
Broadcaster and journalist Huw Edwards, Vice President of the National Churches Trust, said:
“I’m delighted that Crown Terrace Methodist Church is receiving funding for modern community facilities. Replacing the kitchen facilities will safeguard unique local heritage and keep the building open and in use for the benefit of local people.”
“Whether seeking quiet reflection, access to community services or as a place to worship, the National Churches Trust helps hundreds of churches each year and with the support of local people, keeps them thriving today, and tomorrow.”
Help for churches
Twenty-one churches across the UK will stay open and in good repair thanks to £351,500 of funding awarded and recommended by the National Churches Trust in this latest round of grants.
In 2022, the National Churches Trust made over 255 grant awards to churches throughout the United Kingdom, with funding totalling more than £1.95m.
In 2023, grants continue to be available churches of any Christian denomination that are open for regular worship to fund urgent repairs, maintenance, installing loos or kitchens and feasibility studies to develop projects. Full details are at: nationalchurchestrust.org/grants
The project
The grant from the National Churches trust will facilitate the replacement of downstairs kitchen facilities.
Aberdeen Methodist Church seeks to promote community, combat loneliness and contribute to improved mental health by building self-esteem within the neighbouring community. Providing food and refreshments has been an important means of enhancing individual wellbeing and community resilience.
The church
In the late 1750s, a citizen of Aberdeen, Dr Memyss, approached John Wesley to send a preacher to Aberdeen and establish a Methodist society there. In 1759 John Wesley sent Christopher Hopper to preach. John Wesley himself came in 1761, the first of 14 visits to the city.
The current building dates from 1873 and is located in Aberdeen city centre. It has a large sanctuary with open plan/flexible seating on the ground floor and a three-sided gallery with pews. There are no other Methodist Churches in Aberdeen.
The Minister of the Church, Rev Dr James Garnett said:
“We are very grateful to the National Churches Trust and to all who have supported the renovation of the church’s kitchen facilities. As we celebrate 150 years in Crown Terrace, this grant will help us to update the building for the next generation.”