Church gets £400,000 revamp fillip

WORK has begun to return historic Polwarth Parish Church to its former glory as part of a £400,000 restoration project.

Contractors will carry out major repairs to the building’s roof, windows and masonry paid for through funding by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF)

Polwarth’s minister, the Reverend Jack Holt, welcomed the news and said: “I am delighted that with the generous help of the HLF we are able to continue our restoration of this unique and beautiful building.

“These works will allow the building both to serve the future needs of the congregation for the years ahead, and as a vibrant and necessary focus for community activities in the Merchiston area.”

The church, which lies next to the Union Canal, is a local landmark and was designed in 1899 by Sydney Mitchell & Wilson. It was originally built as the Candlish Memorial Free Church and completed in 1913.