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Timeline Photographs of Building Work

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It was with a spirit of profound thankfulness to the Lord, and an overwhelming sense of joy, that the congregation of Poolewe and Aultbea, gathered for the public worship of God in their recently completed new church building, for the first time on Wednesday 7th December 2022 and for the first Lord’s Day worship on 11th December 2022

The congregation had been without a permanent church building since January 2000 but in the Lord’s wonderful providence, in 2016, the local elder Mr Murdo MacDonald identified a suitable land site, and plans were commenced to purchase the land and build a place of worship.

Foundations for the new building were excavated in January 2020 but the Covid pandemic brought several unforeseen challenges to the project, requiring many revisions to the original timescales.   

Mr MacDonald and his nephew Mr Roddy MacLennan worked tirelessly throughout this period to overcome all logistical obstacles, and the congregation are deeply grateful to them for their outstanding efforts in producing a most suitable and commodious building in which to engage in the public worship of God. The roominess of the sanctuary exceeded expectations and can comfortably accommodate seating for fifty.

The church is situated on the main A832, at its junction for the north access road into Aultbea, signposted Aultbea/Mellon Charles. It is easily spotted, having the village war memorial directly in front of it, as can be seen in the attached photographs.

The congregation is indebted to the Finance and Sustentation Committee through whom a mortgage loan from Stewardship was acquired to provide the necessary funds to purchase building materials and cover labour costs, and to the wider denomination (and beyond) for the many generous financial contributions received, which have proved vital to the success of this project.

Above all, the congregation is thankful to God who throughout this project has indeed revealed Himself to be Jehovah-Jireh, the God who provides. It is the fervent prayer of the Kirk Session and congregation that He would mightily use this building for His own glory, that He would powerfully bless the faithful preaching of the Gospel there and be pleased to add to the church daily such as should be saved.      

The Deacons’ Court are planning to organise a service to formally open the new Church building sometime in the New Year, DV, and details of this will be circulated when available.

Please remember the small work in Poolewe and Aultbea in prayer, and should anyone wish to make a financial donation to further defray build costs, please forward this to the congregational Treasurer, Mrs Joanne MacIver, 6 Pier Road, Aultbea, Achnasheen, IV22 2JQ or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.    

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It was an answer to prayer and a great delight for the congregation to see our elder, Mr Murdo MacDonald and his able team recommence work on the new church building during the first week of August, following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions. Since then, steady and safe progress has been made, as can be seen from the recent photographs. The timber frame has been erected, and both blockwork and slating of the roof has now begun. The next stage will be to apply render to the blocks and the fitting of external windows and doors to make it wind and watertight before the usual inclement winter weather sets in. Attention can then be turned to planning for all the internal work required. God willing it is hoped to have the building completed and ready for use by the Communion Season commencing 10th June 2021.

The congregation have already received generous donations from many quarters, which have proved invaluable and been put to good use in purchasing building materials. The congregation are greatly humbled and extremely thankful for this kindness shown to us.

Should anyone wish to make a further contribution towards this building work please send it, suitably marked, to, Mrs Joanne MacIver, Congregational Treasurer, FC(C) Manse, 6 Pier Road, Aultbea, Achnasheen IV22 2JQ.

Above all, please remember this project in prayer.

October 2020

 

October 2020

October 2020

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October 2018 - Site with original dilapitated property.  Please note the electricity pole and behind it Japanese Knotweed infestation, requiring a spend of £22k to address both.

April 2019 - Work begins to clear site and demolish existing semi detached bungalow

May 2019 - Demolition and site clearance in progress

July 2019 - Site cleared and gable end of semi detached bungalow adjoining, made good.

February 2020 - Foundation work in progress

13th March 2020 - Foundation work continues

23rd March 2020 - Latest image before 'lockdown' closes site.

Work begins on New Church Build

After worshipping for 19 years in Bualnaluib Primary School, the congregation of Poolewe and Aultbea are pleased to be able to report that work has this week begun to build a new church in Aultbea. The site is ideally situated adjacent to the war memorial on the main A832, opposite the main access road into the village of Aultbea.

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The project involves two phases: Phase 1 – the demolition of the existing derelict structure occupying the site and site clearance/preparation; Phase 2 – the erection of the new church building.

The congregation does not quite yet hold title to the land as some legal technicalities have prolonged the transfer of deeds. However, the current owner has most kindly given permission to begin demolition work while this matter is being concluded by solicitors. Once legal title has been secured and a loan application can be made, further progress reports will be shared with the denomination.

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The congregation are joyously thankful to Almighty God for his wonderful provision of a most suitable site and seek to commit the entire project into His hands. They would covet the prayers of the Lord's people for a successful and God-glorifying completion to the project.