Weather vane is crowning glory for congregation’s rebuilt spire

Steeplejacks have finished rebuilding the spire at a 141-year-old church after providing months of fascination for members and residents.

The work was carried out by K2 Specialist Services at Lenzie Old Parish Church after a survey of the steeple highlighted that urgent repairs were needed.

Experts working from ladders and ropes battled “horrendous weather” to strengthen the pinnacles and replace internal steelwork.

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The job was completed last week and a new weather vane installed to finish the restoration.

During the repair it was established that the crown stone carved in 1873/74, which holds the weather vane in place, was cracked and could not be reinstated. A new crown stone was carved by the stonemasons using the original as a template.

Funding for the detailed repairs was expensive but thankfully the church had reserves in place.

Contract manager for K2, Andy Evans, said: “It is always a great feeling of achievement when the last stone is laid and we can look ahead to giving the church back to the congregation. The added bonus of sourcing and fitting a new weather vane will add that bit extra to our extensive portfolio.

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“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the church for their assistance during the works and would like to wish them a prosperous future.”

Clerk to the congregational board, Alistair Aitchison, added: “This contract has been a major challenge and many problems have been encountered during the course of the work.

“The steeplejacks have braved horrendous weather but despite the challenges they tackled the contract with professionalism.

“I am also grateful to the congregation for their patience over the past five months as they have been denied access to the church through the front door. I am sure that they will be pleased that the repairs are now complete and that no more work will be required on the steeple for many years to come.”

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The congregation was recently given a reprieve after the Church of Scotland revised plans to close Lenzie Old Parish Church.

Following the retiral of Reverend Douglas Clarke in May, Reverend Ian Taylor, minister at Springfield Cambridge Parish Church in Bishopbriggs, has been appointed as the interim moderator and a locum is being actively sought.

A nominating committee will be formed shortly to seek a new minister for Lenzie Old Parish Church.

Architects Messrs’ Clarke and Bell built the church in 1874 for £4,275 after a committee decided that Lenzie had grown and needed a church.

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The church first opened on Sunday, August 30, 1874 and was celebrated by three services.

At 11am Reverend John Barclay of the Tron Church in Edinburgh preached, at 2pm the Rev Dr Munro of Campsie officiated, and in the evening Reverent Mr Sinclair, the Church’s own Minister, took the Service.

The congregation are now looking forward to being able to maintain their church to the highest standard so that the landmark can continue to serve the community.