lerwick baptist church, shetland isles

Faced with the need to replace their three storey Victorian Church with a modern building, a search was commenced for a new location where a building could be constructed which fitted the needs and aspirations of a growing and vigorous congregation.

They finally settled on a "green field" site to the south of Lerwick on the edge of the Quoys development and overlooking the sea to the east.

The Church submitted following Supporting Statement to Planning:

"The aim of the church, which is affiliated to the Baptist Union of Scotland, is to promote an active witness to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and meets weekly for worship and for building up of the members in their Holy Faith. They seek to minister right across the age ranges and endeavor to keep the message of the Cross at the heart of all they do. Care of the elderly and sick remains a high priority of the fellowship. This is in line with their mission statement - "To Reach, To Win, To Build".

To this end, the intention is for the New Community Church Building at Quoys to be used to reach out into the community at large, 7 days a week, not just on Sundays. As part of their plan they intend to offer the following opportunities:- Sunday Services, Creche Facilities, Children's Clubs during the week as well as on Sunday, Youth Groups for varying ages, Parent and Toddler Groups, Lunches for Pensioners and the Elderly, and a Cafe Facility to be providedin house by volunteers and/or by a local organisation."

The brief therefore called for a design which is very flexible so as to allow the wide range of activities to take place sometimes simultaneously all year round.

Planning Permission was granted in the autumn of 2008 for the 600 meter facility with parking for 47 cars. Building Standards Approval has been sought and it is hoped that construction can commence in the spring of 2009.