Church of St Andrew and St Stephen

Perth, Scotland

Status

Category C

Project Development Grant

£10,000 (2019)

The former Church of St Andrew and St Stephen in Perth, built by City Architect Andrew Heiton Junior in the mid-nineteenth century, presents an unusual three-bayed, gabled street frontage. The church’s heritage value is recognised in its Category C listing, but the space has been liturgically redundant for decades and the building’s future was extremely uncertain, with demolition being considered. Instead, the regional branch of the YMCA has developed new plans to adapt the former church’s sizeable footprint to include offices, training and work experience facilities with nearby accommodation units for short-term stays by young people at risk.

YMCA Tayside are committed to working with vulnerable and disadvantaged young people in the Perth and District area, offering training and remedial support, along with critical service provision. YMCA Yayside’s recent projects include programmes aimed at young people who have disengaged with education, those affected by drugs and alcohol abuse, and those who have struggled to find sustained employment. Their vision for the former church includes a state-of-the-art digital media centre, workshop/retail space, kitchens and cottage-gardens where young people can learn a range of new skills.

Following a 2019 Project Development Grant to undertake essential surveys and develop architectural plans, the project has recently submitted for planning permission.

ymcaperth.com

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