Minister set to celebrate 20 years at helm of historic church

Reverend Alan Sorensen is getting ready to mark two action-packed decades as minister of Wellpark Mid Kirk in Greenock.

As well as being a much-loved minister, Mr Sorensen is a well-known multi-award winning broadcaster too and he was also made one of Her Majesty's Deputy Lord-Lieutenants of Renfrewshire in 2014.

The popular churchman says he cannot believe how fast two decades at the historic Cathcart Square church have flown in.

He said: "The past 20 years have just flashed past.

"Despite being here for all that time I still feel as though I am only just getting the hang of the job!

"I have mixed feelings about the anniversary.

"I always believe that the story should be about the congregation, not me.

"There have been so many special people in the church over the years and it has such an important place in the heart of the town.

“The 'Toon Kirk' has been used by hundreds of community groups over the years.

"Countless couples looking to get married who don't have any connection to a church have found a home and warm welcome here.

"It has also been a very special privilege to conduct the many funerals – on average about one a week - for families without any church connections."

One of the reasons Mr Sorensen was drawn to the church back in 2000 was the unique place it has in the civic life of Greenock.

As chaplain to the local authority he is proud that the church hosts many events such as the annual Kirkin' of the Council and Remembrance Day services and also community events such as the Galoshans Festival and the switching on of the Christmas lights alongside many other ceremonies like Workers' Memorial Day and Armed Forces Day.

Mr Sorensen became a minister in 1980 but took a few years out to pursue a career in retail management and worked for a time with Presto supermarket here in Greenock.

He said: "Because I went to university straight from school I wanted to get a bit more experience before becoming a minister, and working in retail was excellent.

"I learned management skills and was interacting with the public all day, every day."

His first church was in a deprived area of Pollok in the south side of Glasgow, where he remained for 17 years.

Mr Sorensen said: "It was a small hall church and very different from the beautiful Grade A Listed 1761 building here in Cathcart Square.

"It was a real change when I arrived here but as it turned out of course part of our parish serves the poorest area in Scotland.

"People are people, and it’s the people that a minister serves, not the building."

With only a few years until retirement Alan says he is still busy learning new skills.

Due to the current coronavirus emergency, with the church closed for services, he has launched online worship which is being streamed on the Wellpark Mid Kirk Facebook page.

Alan said: “Who knew that at 63 I’d be starting a completely new ministry?

"Some of my radio experience is useful, but learning at the drop of a hat how to make videos has been the biggest challenge in years.

"Amazingly, there are ten times as many people joining in online than came to the church services."

He laughed: "I should have done this years ago!”

Despite being known as a bit of a showman, Alan admits he had been hoping the big anniversary would pass without too much fuss.

He said he was very touched when he was told that a grand meal had been planned by the church to celebrate it in style.

In accordance with the current lockdown, it has had to be postponed for now - but the get-together will be rearranged to take place at a later date.