Church wants to turn closed Mintlaw pub into new place of worship

The Garrett bar in Mintlaw was sacred ground for scores of regulars over the years…

And now, two years on from its closure, the building could be converted into the village’s newest place of worship.

Mintlaw Community Church has applied to Aberdeenshire Council in a bid to transform the vacant bar in The Square.

If the plans are approved, it would finally give the congregation a place to call home after forming more than a decade ago.

Members of the church have been meeting in the Buchan village since April 2012, renting space for all that time.

New Mintlaw base would enable church to hold more activities

The pub called last orders after about 40 years in May 2021, and attempts to find a new taker failed.

The church is planning to refurbish the Garret to make it fully accessible for all of its members.

Planning documents show that a lift would be installed in the building, while the former beer store would become toilets.

You can check out the proposed changes to the Garret bar:

The transformation would allow the church to host its Sunday service along with other activities throughout the week.

Currently, its congregation meets at the Macbi Community Hub in Mintlaw.

As they have had to rely on renting accommodation up until now, the church has been limited with the activities they can host.

At the moment, it can only hold events on Sundays.

Should the plans get the go-ahead, it is hoped that the new church will be in operation by the end of the year.

Congregation ‘thrilled and thankful’ for Mintlaw bar

Mintlaw Community Church acquired the former pub earlier this year.

In a social media post, the church said it was “absolutely delighted” to have taken on the former bar.

The post added: “The location of the building coupled with all it has to offer is just amazing.

“We are just thrilled and so thankful.

“We’ve always been the ‘church at the heart of Buchan’, now we’re also church at the heart of Mintlaw.”

Fetterangus Church refurbishment plan still ongoing

Meanwhile, Mintlaw Community Church is also continuing with its plans to take over Fetterangus Church.

Back in May 2019, Pastor Stuart Watt revealed the church had bought the building, which they have named The Sanctuary.

Speaking at the time, Mr Watt said the church was in need of some modernising work.

A £100,000 fundraising target was set to enable the church to complete the works.

However the development has since been delayed due to the pandemic and rising building costs.