Greenock's only post-war A-listed church needs repairs worth £450,000

Parishioners and clergy at St Laurence's have launched a fundraising push to preserve the iconic building for future generations.

Generous church-goers have already dug deep to gather £30,000 but this is a drop in the ocean compared to the huge amount needed to fix the landmark large red brick building in the east end.

Father Andrew Coleman says the main issue is water ingress.

He said: "Initially were were told that it would cost £250,000 but a second survey found more problems and we will need an extra £200,000.

"The bricks are coming to the end of their lives.

"Water has been getting in through the bricks and window at the rear of the sacristy.

"There is also water penetration at the front door.

"It is the only A-listed post-war building in Greenock, the other one in Inverclyde is the Holy Family in Port Glasgow.

"Parishioners have been very generous holding fundraising events and extra collections and have raised £30,000."

Father Coleman says the church has half what it needs in savings but has applied for grants to plug the funding gap

The church was built in Kilmacolm Road in 1954 to replace the original located at the fire station, which was bombed during WW2.

It was designed by well-known architects Gillespie, Kidd and Coia in 1954.

Work on the refurbishment is scheduled to start next year.

Joe Bonnar, president of the St Vincent de Paul group, is on the fundraising committee.

He said: "It's a lovely big building but the roof above the arch at the sanctuary is made of glass bricks over 60 years.

"It has been expanding and contracting and water has been getting in.

"The exterior work will be done first then the interior."

A series of successful fundraising events have already been held and the next will be a Christmas Fete on Saturday from 10.30am.