At St Columba’s, Stanley, caring for God’s creation is becoming an increasingly important part of our mission and ministry. Over the past year, we have taken a significant step towards reducing our carbon footprint and improving the sustainability of our church building, thanks to the support and guidance available through the Scottish Episcopal Church’s Net Zero programme.
The journey began when the Revd Canon Elaine Garman, Convenor of the Diocesan Environment Group, encouraged me to consider seeking advice from Business Energy Scotland to assess what improvements might help St Columba’s become more environmentally friendly. Following Elaine’s suggestion, I contacted Dr Bethany Nelson (Net Zero Empowerment Coordinator), who proved invaluable throughout the process.
Initially, we arranged an energy survey through Business Energy Scotland. While there was a wait for the survey to be completed due to the high demand for their services, the resulting report was extremely worthwhile. Not only did it provide a clear picture of our building’s energy use, but it also gave us the evidence needed to support grant funding applications.
For many years, St Columba’s had relied on an older-style electric infrared heating system. The heaters were expensive to run, lacked thermostat controls, and often resulted in unnecessary electricity consumption. This was not only costly for the congregation but was also far from ideal from an environmental perspective.
With the survey recommendations in hand, I arranged site visits from both Flexel and Herschel to explore possible replacement systems. After careful consideration, I concluded that the Herschel proposal best met the needs of our historic church building.
The next stage was securing funding by completing an application. I was delighted that St Columba’s was awarded £16,003 from the Scottish Episcopal Church’s Net Zero Provincial Fund. This generous support enabled the project to move forward and turn plans into reality.
Following the grant award, Herschel’s electrical engineering partner, Wallace Electrical of Dundee, took over the practical implementation of the project. Their team ordered, supplied, and installed the new heating system over a three-day period.
The benefits have already been significant. Heating has now been extended into areas of the church that previously had little or no heating provision, including the vestry, WC, and porch. As well as improving comfort for those who use the building, this provides an important form of preventative maintenance, helping to protect the fabric of the church during the colder winter months.
The project has also brought unexpected aesthetic benefits. This year, St Columba’s celebrates its 128th anniversary, and the removal of the old intrusive heaters has helped restore some of the building’s original beauty. The bulky units that once hung visibly from the rafters have been replaced by modern, discreet heaters installed within the eaves. This has opened up the roof space and enhanced the appearance of the church while remaining sympathetic to its historic character.
Our journey towards Net Zero does not end here. The next stage of our action plan is to install a destratification fan before winter. This will help circulate warm air trapped in the roof space back down to ground level, improving heating efficiency and reducing energy consumption even further.
Looking back, I am immensely grateful for the encouragement and support received throughout this process. In particular, I would like to thank Bethany for her guidance, expertise, and patience at every stage. Her assistance helped transform what initially felt like a daunting project into an achievable and rewarding journey.
I hope that sharing our experience will encourage other congregations to explore the support available through the Scottish Episcopal Church’s Net Zero programme. With the right advice, funding opportunities, and practical assistance, meaningful environmental improvements are possible, even in historic church buildings.
The Revd Ross Stirling-Young; Assistant Curate, St Columba’s Church, Stanley
