LET THE LEGACY LIVE ON!

Please share in our passion for James Clerk Maxwell and Parton Kirk

Parton Kirk, burial place of the world-famous physicist James Clerk Maxwell is being sold by the Church of Scotland.

Parton Community has been offered the exclusive right to purchase the Kirk with the idea of developing a James Clerk Maxwell Science and Community Centre to celebrate the life and work of this great mind, a scientist who laid the foundations of our modern society, yet remains relatively unknown outside the world of science and engineering.

In 2023, feasibility studies were carried out to explore the future of Parton Kirk and provide the foundations of this vision (see link at Glenkens Hub - Parton Kirk Reports).

BUT NOW TIME IS AGAINST US.

We have until 1st November 2026 to raise the money necessary to secure the building and take the next step towards realising the vision.

We need to raise a minimum of £70,000 to secure the building for the community while develop our plans. This figure is made up as follows:

- £50,000 Purchase Price

- £20,000 Immediate costs to insure and secure the building in a wind and watertight condition while we move to the next phase.

Clerk Maxwell is known as the ‘Father of Modern Science’ and his classical theory of electromagnetic radiation, (the first theory to describe electricity, magnetism and light as different manifestations of the same phenomenon), is the basis of all our modern communication.

This places him between Newton and Einstein in the chronology of scientific discovery that shapes our understanding of the physical world, and yet he still remains relatively unknown in his own country!

Every donation, no matter the size, will help us towards that goal. If you are unable to donate, sharing this page with others who may care about Maxwell, Scottish heritage, science or the future of our rural communities would also make an enormous difference.

Please will you help Parton secure the Kirk for our community, and to celebrate the life and achievements of this giant of science?

Thank you!

Paul Hodson

on behalf of Parton Community

Email: partoncc@gmail.com

FAQs and important information

What happens to my money if the purchase is unsuccessful?

We aim to use your funds for the purchase and immediate remedial work on the church. If we are unable to proceed for any reason we will propose an alternative use of the funds, and you will have the option of being refunded. Refunds will be proportionate to any expenses incurred in attempting to secure the church.

How do you intend to use the building?

We are exploring the best use which celebrates Maxwells legacy, benefits the community and has a viable business model. Should we be successful the final use will be that which we conclude will best meet these aims.

Please get in touch if you would like to discuss the project in more detail.