Two founder members of the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle have successfully completed a major heritage conservation project on a category B listed church building in the west end of Glasgow.

ARP Lorimer and Associates were the architects, and building contractors William Skinner & Son were the main contractors in the work undertaken to conserve and repair St John's Renfield Church of Scotland in Kelvindale Glasgow.

The B Listed church built in the 1930's in a Neo-Romanesque style, is a striking landmark on the skyline of Glasgow’s west end, with a very fine lead fleche spire.

Substantial grants from Historic Scotland and Heritage Lottery Fund contributed around 70% of the contract costs for the complete recladding of the leadwork, repair of the spire timber structure and other high level masonry and roof repairs.

Specialist leadwork was carried out by D Blake and Son of Edinburgh who have entered the fine craftsmanship for a European Award. Detail of the fleche leadwork is extraordinary with decorative fret panels, biblical shields, griffin head spouts, praying figures surrounding a false bell, and an ornate wrought iron finial which they also restored.


During the Second World War the church had taken a bomb through the nave roof during the Clydeside raids, but the fleche was unscathed. Two-thirds of the roof required complete rebuilding at the time, and the current project has included the re-slating of the original third which had been retained. A full height scaffold to the building gave the opportunity for extensive repair and repointing of stonework at high level, carried out by specialist masons CBC Stone of Glasgow. Other work included replacement lightning conductor and repairs to hall roofs. Despite one of the worst winters for several years the project made steady progress over a 10-month contract period.

Rebecca Cadie, a director of ARP Lorimer, was the project architect, and John Ramsay, an associate, was project quantity surveyor and Construction, Design & Management (CDM) co-ordinator.

Ken Wales, business development director at building contractors William Skinner & Son, said: "We are delighted to have had the opportunity of working on the St John’s Church Renfield project with ARP Lorimer & Associates.

"William Skinner & Son has built up considerable expertise and experience in heritage listed building renovation and restoration. We have worked on several projects recently in Ayr, Alloway and Culzean Castle, and in England for Cambridge University."

(GK/JM)