Building the Future

A project of Selkirk Parish Church, starting in 2019, to consider how our buildings might be redeveloped to facilitate our outreach to the community and our congregational life.

building plans (October 2025)

proposed floor plan
proposed elevations
proposed section(1)
proposed section(2)
proposed section(3)
proposed new entrance
proposed boundary wall

other downloadable files

Exhibition Guide (Oct 2025)
Information leaflet (Oct 2025)
Sponsors leaflet (Oct 2025)
Gift Aid form (Oct 2025)
Feedback form (Oct 2025)

Background

At the Kirk Session in May 2019, it was noted that “the sale of the former manse provides a “once in a generation” opportunity to make significant, rather than piecemeal, changes to the current building, to make it more fit for a mission-oriented 21st century church.” The Kirk Session agreed to consider a list of “issues to be addressed in any future review of the church buildings” which had been collated over the previous 18 months. At the August meeting, it was agreed that a small group would be formed to explore options, and the buildings review should be considered alongside the “21st Century Church” Presbytery Plan discussions. The COVID pandemic throughout 2020 and 2021 intensified the need to consider the role and purpose of church buildings.

Identifying the needs, 2021

The small group reviewed the original discussion document Building for the future May 2021, updated it and a version of this was published in the June 2021 edition of The Hird (see p.11) Members were invited to feed back any comments or questions.

Meanwhile the group viewed online examples of churches which had significantly altered their buildings to make them more suitable for their 21st century worship, congregational live and outreach. For example:

Inverurie West Church and Acorn Centre
West Kilbride Church

Comments from individual members

Eight individuals (and a group of our young people) shared their thoughts in writing with the group, and these helped inform the development

Options Appraisal, 2022

In January 2022, following the steering group meeting with 2 different recommended architects, the Kirk Session and Congregational Board agreed to accept the proposal from Raymond Angus of Angus Design Associates to carry out a full options appraisal (based on the needs and comments gathered from members of the congregation) for the sum of £5875 + VAT. This would include a full survey of the building, discussing options for development to meet our stated needs, drawing up plans and 3D images to support proposed designs, and the production of a report with budget costs and recommendations.

In the following 6 months, Raymond visited Selkirk twice, carried out a detailed survey of the building, and produced some initial draft plans for possible ways to address the issues. These were discussed by the steering group, and referred back to the architect for further refinement into a single preferred project.

In January 2023, these proposals were presented to the congregation and community, with an opportunity to ask questions, make comments and suggestions. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and a summary was then fed back to the architect for further refinement.

Moving forward, 2023-24

Meanwhile, the congregational meeting in March 2023 gave the steering group permission to continue to explore the project, in consultation with the architect, planners, Presbytery and General Trustees. The Kirk Session and Congregational Board approved contacting the architect to do the next stage of feasibility – updating the plans, proposals for phasing the development and firming up the likely costs – with a response expected before the end of 2023. The steering group hosted a visit of members of the General Trustees, consulted with 2 stained glass window specialists, and received initial permission to proceed from the Presbytery. Following this, the Church Leadership team (Kirk Session) gave the go-ahead to apply for planning approval. During 2024, our architect further developed the plans, and these were taken to a pre-planning meeting with SBC Planning Officers.

Stage 0 – kitchen redevelopment, 2025

While awaiting the outcome of the slow processes of obtaining planning approval, it was agreed to explore bringing forward the kitchen redevelopment as a first phase of the overall scheme, if funding could be secured. A scheme of work was agreed to combine the existing kitchen and office to be fitted out to commercial standards, and the works were put out to tender. Two contractors responded, and MEH Builders and Joiners was chosen as the preferred option. The overall cost was estimated at:

Builder and joinery work £29,433, Fittings and equipment £22,137, IR heaters £960, building warrant £359, Architect fees £600.

Total cost: £53,489 (inc VAT)

To meet these costs, grants were obtained from Eildon Area Community Partnership (£8,000) and the National Churches Trust (£15,000), and a further £13,000 from a series of fund-raising events. It was agreed to go ahead, with the balance coming from the congregation’s own capital funds.

Work was complete during summer 2025, and the kitchen officially open-end in October 2025

Towards implementation, 2026

During late 2025 and early 2026, the steering group worked with Dan Rous of Accelerate to develop a business and sustainability plan. A useful visit to the Charteris Centre in Edinburgh was encouraging and helpful.

Planning and listed building permission was granted in February 2026.

Where are we now?

Over summer 2026, our architect and team are reviewing costs and details of the construction. We need to persuade the General Trustees of the Church of Scotland that this is a project worth supporting, hoping that they will give us a substantial grant and approval in principle – this is the key that can unlock grants from external funders and individuals.

If you would like to be a “sponsor”, giving a one-off donation or regular donations over the next 5 years, please download a Sponsors leaflet (near the top of this page), fill it in and send it to us (or by email). If you would like to visit and discuss the project please contact us – we would love to welcome you here.

You can also support by sponsoring David’s July 2026 cycling challenge.