Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
A historic church near Lockerbie, Applegarth Church, was saved from being lost thanks to a rapid fundraising effort led by a local couple with deep connections to the area. Andrew and Kirsteen Mitchell managed to raise £70,000 in just two days through a crowd-funding campaign, securing the building after appealing to members of Clan Jardine, whose ancestral graveyard is located within the small hamlet. Support poured in from descendants across the United States, Canada, and South Africa, helping to ensure the church’s future.
The Mitchells began the campaign with a personal donation of £15,000 and have since formed a registered charity to manage the church’s new role as a community venue. Their vision is for Applegarth Church to be used for weddings, funerals, and other events. Reflecting on the success of the campaign, the couple said, “In 48 hours we had raised more than the asking price of £55,000. We were astounded.”
Applegarth Church, which closed in 2023, had been placed on the market by the Church of Scotland amid a trend of selling properties due to decreasing congregations and rising costs. The Mitchells already own the adjacent manse, a former minister’s residence now used as luxury accommodation. Concerned by plans to convert the church into a recording studio or storage facility, they prioritized preserving its historic significance. Kirsteen explained, “I emailed families who had stayed with us over the years – not just Jardines, but those who had come to find their forebears in the churchyard. In particular a family of Beatties in Canada.” One Jardine family contributed around £30,000 toward the purchase of the church, which dates back to 1760.
The church carries a rich history as the spiritual home of the Jardine family, known for their role as Border Reivers conducting raids between the 13th and 15th centuries. According to Mrs Mitchell, a church has existed on that site in some form since approximately 600 AD. To celebrate the acquisition and mark the beginning of this new chapter, a ceremony including a blessing will take place on 30 November, with Clan Chief Sir William Jardine and his family attending alongside visitors from abroad. Kirsteen Mitchell praised her husband’s efforts, saying, “Credit to my husband Andrew who has been instrumental in establishing the charity.” She also extended an invitation to anyone interested in the church to join the event and share ideas about its future. This successful rescue echoes another recent example in southern Scotland, where Clan Turnbull saved Ruberslaw Parish Church in Bedrule during the summer
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.