Church kitchen expanding to meet growing demand
BBCA church in the Scottish Borders is bucking the downward trend in congregation numbers by launching a major expansion and refurbishment programme - to cater for growing demand.
Most days, Selkirk Parish Church's hall is packed out for lunch clubs, coffee mornings and other gatherings.
The growing numbers have forced elders to speed up the first part of their £2m upgrade plans for the 150-year-old building, by doubling the size of their kitchen.
Elder Myra Ward explained: "We have big plans for the church, and the kitchen is just the start."
Membership of the Church of Scotland dropped from about 920,000 to just over 270,000 between 1982 and 2022.
During the same four decades the average age of a churchgoer increased to 62 years old - figures which have led to dozens of churches closing in recent years with many more facing an uncertain future.
But the mood at Selkirk Parish Church is one of optimism and enthusiasm.
In 2012 it became one of the first religious buildings in Scotland to install solar panels on its roof.
Interior refurbishments to the rear hall have also taken place to make the High Street building more inviting for community groups to use.
But it is now embarking on its most ambitious project yet - a complete £2m overhaul.
As well as creating an entirely new first floor above the main church auditorium, the congregation hopes to create various sized halls and meeting rooms, a new lift, and a welcoming glass frontage and reception.
Since arriving in Selkirk last year, Rev Kwame Ahaligah has been preaching to a steady congregation of about 60 each Sunday - and similar numbers on Wednesdays.
He said: "I do think we can become a little fixated with numbers - yes congregations everywhere are dropping - but what is happening here at Selkirk Parish Church shows how engaging we have become.
"By opening up the building to the community we are providing a place of solace to people who would have been at home on their own - it has become the centre of the community.
"I think we are a prime example of the church being relevant in today's world."
Work begins on doubling the size of the kitchen next month, with detailed drawings of the wider proposed changes to the B-listed building being submitted for planning consideration.
As well as twice weekly religious services, the church is open every day for community gatherings, crafts groups, yoga and sports.
The weekly pay-what-you-can lunch club is almost always at capacity, with similar numbers enjoying the regular coffee mornings.
About half of the 100 or so diners are not regular members of the church - and it is hoped by doubling the size of the kitchen, the volunteers will be able to serve up lunch for even more people from the community.
Mrs Ward said consultation carried out in the area had found a lot of people in Selkirk were living on their own and the church hoped to provide somewhere for them to go and socialise.
"It has been so exciting to see the lunch club grow, but we are now at capacity," she said.
"By doubling the size of the kitchen, it will allow us to provide lunches for even more people.
"Our vision is to eventually have lots of different spaces within the church that will also be open for everyone.
"People have been very generous with the kitchen, but it's just the start."
The £35,000 kitchen expansion was supported by £15,000 from the National Churches Trust, as well as £8,000 from the Scottish Borders Council Neighbourhood Fund and £12,000 from fundraising by the congregation.
Claire Walker, chief executive of the National Churches Trust, said: "There is huge support for this project in the community and expanding the kitchen space will enable the church to help more people through its lunch club."