THE future of a Ukrainian chapel that opened after the Second World War has been secured.
Lockerbie’s Hallmuir Ukrainian Chapel has been given a grant of more than £50,000 by South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE).
The cash will allow for vital repairs to the Grade-B listed building and improve its hard landscaping and surrounding boundary.
It will also see the development of a visitor centre and further work on promoting the chapel – with a collaboration to be undertaken with the South of Scotland Destination Alliance.
Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie said: “I’m delighted that the Hallmuir Ukrainian Chapel has received a grant from South of Scotland Enterprise, to continue its important work supporting people in Lockerbie and Dumfriesshire.
“The chapel first opened in the years following World War Two to support Ukrainian soldiers working in the local community. 75 years on, it will now also be a place of sanctuary and support for displaced people from Ukraine now arriving in Scotland.
“This funding will enable the restoration of the chapel building and the opening of a visitor centre, so that people can learn about their important work and history.
“I hope that this support means communities can continue to come together at the Hallmuir Ukrainian Chapel for many years to come.”
The chapel has been undergoing repairs and developments in phases since 2018, but progress has been hindered by winter storms and the Covid pandemic.
The chapel did not qualify for any government grants or subsidies, which left its team less than halfway towards a target of £80,000 in summer 2021.
However, in October 2021, the chapel successfully approached economic and community development agency SOSE for support.
The building was first repurposed as a chapel by Ukrainian prisoners of war in the years following the Second World War, when more than 400 Ukrainian soldiers were sent to work on nearby farms and forestry.
Many Ukrainians chose to stay in the Dumfriesshire area after the war, church services are held regularly for locals.
The chapel has become a focal point for gathering humanitarian aid for those who are caught up in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Mike Ostapko of Hallmuir Chapel said: “It has been a long process to get to where we are today, and we have faced several unprecedented challenges along the way.
“Closing our doors to visitors during the pandemic made fundraising particularly difficult, but we knew we couldn’t give up on such an important pillar of our local Ukrainian community in Dumfriesshire.
“We are pleased to have now received funding from SOSE to get repair work underway to restore the Chapel.
“It has proved a critical location for collection of donations during the ongoing Ukraine conflict, and we hope it will continue to be an important venue for years to come.”
SOSE chair Professor Russel Griggs hailed the chapel as an “asset to the local community”.
He said: “It is vital that we do everything we can to help preserve buildings such as this, which are steeped in history and serve a very important purpose to the people that use them.
“Our funding will help to ensure the safety and longevity of the building so that it remains a key part of the local community for years to come.”
