A GLASGOW minister yesterday climbed a few steps closer to heaven to mark the completion of restoration of his church steeple.
The Rev David Lunan, of Renfield St Stephen's, Bath Street, ascended 220ft with the help of a hoist and ladders to say prayers and place a celtic cross.
The church, which has been at the heart of the city's religious life since 1850, was nearly destroyed on Boxing Day, 1998 - ironically St Stephen's Day - when high winds sent the steeple tumbling through the church roof.
The building was saved by something of a miracle on Bath Street, when a director of the construction company Hunter and Clarke happened to witness the devastation, and was able to start repairs straight away.
High winds also played a part in yesterday's proceedings, making the climb more precarious than expected, although many of the parishioners joined their minister and were transported up the spire to see the inauguration first-hand.
Mr Lunan, who has been minister at Renfield St Stephen's for 14 years, said: ''I decided to do the climb out of respect for the men who rebuilt the steeple. They went up and down hundreds of feet in far worse weather than this, so it's really my way of saying thank you.''
He added: ''I wasn't as terrified as I thought I would be, and just kept looking straight ahead. The views of the city were fantastic, but I was glad to get my feet firmly back on the ground again.''
The completion of building work also marks the beginning of a new era in the church's existence, with a new suite of rooms in the basement and more flexible accommodation within the building itself.
As well as being a place of worship, the church plays host to a wide range of community activities from Alcoholics Anonymous meetings to a Scrabble club, feeding the homeless to feeding office workers.
Mr Lunan said: ''We've managed to turn a tragedy into an opportunity, and today is important for us because it marks a new beginning in the life of this congregation and the whole community.''
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