Churches to close, parishes to merge and kirk buildings sold

A 'draft mission plan' for Clyde Presbytery has outlined a number of major changes being considered for local churches, which aim to address a 'surplus of buildings' and a growing number of ministerial vacancies across the district.

Several local church buildings will be under threat if the current plans are taken forward - including Westburn Parish in Greenock, Hamilton Bardrainney in Port Glasgow and St Ninian's in Greenock.

Proposals to form a union between Lyle Kirk, Westburn and St Margaret's, a suggested 'linkage' between Wellpark Mid Kirk in Greenock and Hamilton Bardrainney in Port Glasgow, and a long term plan to have just one congregation in Gourock are among the radical measures outlined in the draft document.

A second long term proposal to have a single ministry covering Inverkip, Skelmorlie and Wemyss Bay has been tabled as well.

The document also reveals the condition of several local church buildings, with each site being given a percentage score and placed into one of three categories: A, B or B (Provisional).

Category A buildings are those which are to be kept, whereas category B sites are 'not required for future use and to be disposed of'.

The third category, B (Provisional), is used in instances where further work is required to determine the future of the building.

Under the plans outlined in the papers, the union between Lyle Kirk, Westburn and St Margaret's would only require two church buildings, with the three parishes currently in possession of five.

The Old West Kirk, one of Lyle Kirk's three buildings, has already been placed on the open market and is currently under offer.

But the bombshell new report reveals that the Lyle Kirk's Newark Street premises - the former Finnart St Paul's - is 'pending disposal', with funds from the two sales set to be used to cover the costs of repair work on the parish's third building at Union Street.

Westburn, despite having a higher percentage score than the Lyle Kirk's Union Street building, is designated as category B due to a 'significant issue' with its sanctuary bell tower.

The cost of repairing the tower is stated to be several hundred thousand pounds.

Hamilton Bardrainney in Port Glasgow is placed in the B (Provisional), owing to its percentage score of 74.

It is stated that the parish's location and recent repair work means it should be allowed more time to develop, with a further review taking place in the future.

St Ninian's in Larkfield has remained closed since the pandemic began, with its congregation currently worshipping in a rented community space.

Its premises received the lowest score in Inverclyde on account of its 'dilapidated' condition.

The report suggests that the building could become a local mission church, provided a union can be arranged with the nearby Old Gourock & Ashton.

Failing that, the report recommends the dissolution of the church.

The report welcomes a suggested repurposing of St John's as a community building, due to its close proximity to Old Gourock & Ashton.

Both churches are placed in the safe category to give them more time to explore the possibility of a change in church use.

Inverkip Parish and Skelmorlie and Wemyss Bay are among the lowest scoring buildings in the area, but are both given safe status as they are the only two suitable buildings for worship in their communities.

Support is expressed for a union between Old Kilmacolm and St Columba churches in Kilmacolm, with a single minister allocated to the village.

A bid to bring the churches under one roof fell through earlier this year after the parishes failed to reach an agreement over the future of the two buildings.

Greenock Mount Kirk, Wellpark Mid Kirk, Port Glasgow New Parish Church and St Margaret's Church in Greenock make up the remaining parishes in the A category.

Greenock East End was not given a score, as the congregation uses rented accommodation to meet.

The Tele has asked the Church of Scotland to comment.

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Category A churches - to be retained

Port Glasgow New Parish Church

Wellpark Mid Kirk

Greenock Mount Kirk

Lyle Kirk Union Street

Greenock St Margaret's

Gourock St John's

Old Gourock and Ashton

Inverkip Parish Church

Skelmorlie &Wemyss Bay

Category B (Provisional) - further work needed to decide whether to keep

Hamilton Bardrainney

Category B - to be disposed of

Westburn Parish Church

St Ninian's

Former Finnart St Paul's