'Mither Kirk' set for £5m health overhaul

Published on Tuesday 21 September 2010 15:11

WORK is to begin on the first phase of a £5 million project to transform a landmark Scottish church into a major health facility.

Aberdeen's "Mither Kirk", the Church of St Nicholas in Union Street, has been the centre of civic worship in Aberdeen for nine centuries. Now the building's East Kirk is to be transformed into a modern health and wellbeing hub for the local community.

The first phase of the project will involve restoring the exterior of the landmark building at a cost of around 1m.

Phase two will see the interior of the building split into four floors. A restored St Mary's Chapel, which dates back to the 15th century, will be opened to the public as part of the redesign of the lower ground floor, which will also incorporate meeting rooms and a kitchen where people can learn to cook and find out about healthy eating.

The ground floor will include a new caf area and retail units for health organisations, agencies and social enterprises and an IT suite open to both the general public and for organised training classes with senior citizens and other groups. The first floor will house a health and wellbeing suite with group therapy room, fitness studio and a number of consulting rooms for alternative and mainstream healthcare.

The first phase of the scheme has received a grant of 429,300 from Historic Scotland and a 430,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

A fundraising campaign has been launched to raise the 4m needed for the internal work on the building.

Arthur Winfield, the project leader, said: "We are delighted to have reached this milestone in the project.

"Although a notable structure, it has become hidden and is unknown to generations of Aberdonians.

"The project will breathe new life into this ancient building and give it a new beginning but we need the local community to get behind the project and help us raise the additional funds."