Delight for Lunna Kirk group as new funding edges building closer to community ownership

THE GROUP set up to keep the historic Lunna Kirk in the community has been awarded £10,000 in funding to support their bid to purchase the building.

The money is coming from the Viking Energy community fund.

The Lunna Kirk Preservation Group committee said in a statement that funding covers the remaining money it needs to purchase the building.

The oldest working kirk in Shetland is set to be sold by the Church of Scotland in its isle-wide series of closures.

A group with charitable status was set up last year to explore the prospect of keeping the kirk a community-owned building.

The Church of Scotland had already agreed to delay the next stage of the sale process to allow the preservation group time to put together a business plan.

The group has since held numerous successful fundraisers and received what it calls a “remarkable amount of support and funds” from others wishing to help.

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The committee commented: “We are absolutely delighted to receive the support from the Viking Community Fund.

“This funding has given us the remaining money we need to purchase the Lunna Kirk and preserve this important part of our history and heritage.

“Lunna Kirk (St. Margaret’s) is the oldest working kirk in Shetland and with its Shetland Bus connection, it is so important that this remains open to the public so visitors can learn about its rich history.”