The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

dhubthaigh · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:54 pm Post subject: REDGORTON PARISH CHURCH

This is one that I tried to arrange entry for some time ago without success. The former Redgorton Parish Church houses the civic memorials for both the Great War and WW2 - things of beauty I might add. There is a planning application underway to remove these to the new church centre at Luncarty (fair enough). Follow this link which will take you to the relevant documentation at Perth & Kinross Council;
http://193.63.61.22/publicaccess/propdb/property/property_history_summary.aspx?module=&lpikeyval=JLMHBQMKLI008&blpukeyval=JLMHBPMKBU004
If you click to view and go into asscociated documents it will give details of this current process.
However, if you look at the photograph the windows (with plaques beneath) are War Memorials also, which I have confirmed with the Minister for Stanley Church (which was previously linked with Redgorton).
Unfortunately the church has been sold to a gentleman from Bridge of Earn. I hope that he is amenable to let me in to get these photographed before demolition. Stay tuned for updates.

DerekR · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:10 pm Post subject:

I think we're going to see more and more issues like this over the next few years.
_________________

Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

dhubthaigh · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:23 pm Post subject:

Undoubtedly Derek.
The Great War board and WW2 pulpit will be 'saved'. I suppose the other plaques can be taken too. However, I'm wondering about the windows - I don't think they can be transferred to the new centre at Luncarty. I will ask the Minister on Friday when I meet up for the church at Stanley.

I'd just like to get a chance to photograph them in situ, together with the church, before it's gone for good.

spoons · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 6:18 pm Post subject:

I can think of 4 different acceptable treatment of window memorials for closed churches that I have seen.
1. Move them complete and install in a different church as windows
2. Move them complete and install them in a light cabinet in a different church
3. Leave them in situ, list them and put a condition on the planning permission that they must be accessible to visitors by appointment
4. As 3 above but allow them to be removed from the windows and installed in a light cabinet
I rather like option 3 and I hope that church and planning authorities can be pursuaded to go for this option and please quote Beeswing church as a precedent

\Paul

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 11:50 pm Post subject:

This has been discussed before

http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=1591

It's ceratinly going to be more common. Perhaps we should have a section on churches closing.

I've read that the Church of Scotland is going to close one of it's two Govan churches soon.

Adam

dhubthaigh · Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 6:48 pm Post subject:

I spoke to the Rev. Lawson on this issue whilst at Stanley Parish Church.
As previously mentioned there has been an application to move the Great War Board and Pulpit, containing the WW2 names, to Luncarty Church Centre. Rev. Lawson is not too sure if this was going to be approved.
The War Memorial windows will remain in situ but there was no mention of specific conditions for access. They had thought of moving the windows to Luncarty and fitting them in light boxes but the Centre is a new build and they felt that they would be out of place.
Where they could have been installed was in a room that was to be a creche/play room and under health and safety it wasn't feasible etc.
I have today penned a letter to the private individual who now owns Redgorton Church. I'll keep everyone posted.

Adam Brown · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 7:17 am Post subject:

dhubthaigh · Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 8:11 pm Post subject:

I didn't immediately reply to Adam's comment regarding the 'cop-out' in relation to the stained glass windows - but I wholeheartedly agree.
These are 'special' and if not compatible at Luncarty then why not put them into the church at Stanley? C'mon it's not that difficult and surely they can appreciate their meaning... and why they were put there in the first place. There is the chance, NOW!, to preserve them and not allow these sacred subjects, unforyunately like others, to be lost to us all.
Anyway I have spoken with the new owner of the church by telephone and have arranged to visit next Thursday at 11am. The council are attending at Noon to take stock of the situation.
I feel like hanging around and broaching the subject with them.
Any thoughts?

dhubthaigh · Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 8:14 pm Post subject:

If you didn't follow the link this is from the P&K Council planning site;

Adam Brown · Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 8:47 pm Post subject:

spoons · Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 9:49 pm Post subject:

If you do stay on, you may be able to use the following examples. The windows memorial from Tarff Church have been moved to Edinburgh (which must be a hundred miles away) and we have lost touch with where they are, and they may be pretty but must be relatively meaningless in the remote location. They should remain local to those commemorated. For (in my view) successful uses of windows of closed churches:-
Dumfries (Laurieknowe) window moved to a new local church [url] http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=556 [/url]
Lochside theatre in Castle Douglas has old church windows in light boxes and this is successful [url] http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=899[/url], so is the Dunscore Craig church light box http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=859 and as I have mentioned before, Beeswing church has an access requirement as a covenant in the deeds. http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=2004

Good luck

\Paul