Wick church celebrates 152nd anniversary with the opening of a new extension

St John’s Scottish Episcopal Church, in Moray Street, Wick, has been a busy scene for the past few months, as building work on a new extension started to take shape.

Designed by Knight and McDonald Architects and built by Norbloc Construction Ltd, the extension on the south side of the church is set to open this weekend.

The new part of the building provides a fully accessible toilet facility, suitable for wheelchair users. The path from the street to the entrance has also been modified for easy access.

First planned in 2012, fundraising did not begin until 2016 and involved community support from book sales, coffee mornings, public talks and craft fayres.

Vestry secretary Mrs Jeanette Harper said: "The Covid pandemic forced the church to close its doors for the first time in 150 years. The church went online and provided services through Zoom.

"Now that restrictions have eased, we will celebrate the 152nd anniversary on Saturday, June 18, 2022. This coincides with the official opening of the new extension, which will be dedicated by the Most Reverend Mark Strange, Bishop of Moray, Ross and Caithness, and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church.

"Our church was opened on May 13, 1870, by Bishop Eden, with seating for about 110 people. The plot was purchased by Donald Horne of Edinburgh, a Writer to the Signet, for £135. The cost to build it in 1870 was £1245. The architect was Mr Alexander Ross of Inverness, who had designed Inverness Cathedral."

A grant from the Scottish Episcopal Church gave a significant boost for the project, then match-funding came from the Allchurches Trust, Highland Coastal Communities Fund, Garfield Weston Fund and the National Churches Trust.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.