FORMER members of Greenock Methodist Church have gathered to share their fond memories before the building is demolished.

Ardgowan Hospice recently made the ‘difficult’ decision to knock the historic church down due to ongoing health and safety concerns affecting the public and neighbours.

The hospice invited members of the congregation to an afternoon tea at its ACCESS Building, with work set to begin on the site this month.

Several people attended the event to discuss their time at the church and the role its played in the lives of their loved ones, including Elspeth Lyon and Mona Rankin.

Mona joined the church when she moved to Greenock from Wales in 1960.

Aside from her later stint living in Darlington, she remained a member of the church until its final days.

Elspeth was a member during her childhood and continued attending until her marriage in 1971.

She told the Tele: “My connection was through my parents.

Mona Rankin and Elspeth Lyon (Image: George Munro)

“My sister and I grew up there and I was there until I got married, but my parents were still there until they died.

“It was quite a vibrant church and it was very busy.

“It’s always sad when you hear of churches closing, but I think we’ve known it would be demolished for a while because it’s been lying empty.

“In a way, I think it would be better now if it was demolished because it’s a shame to see it in the condition that it’s in.”

Greenock Methodist Church closed its doors in November 2017, with its congregation dispersing to other local churches.

Graham Gardiner, CEO of Ardgowan Hospice, said: "I was delighted by the success of the recent event held in our ACCESS building which gave people the chance to pay tribute to the Greenock Methodist Church before its demolition.

“It was heart-warming to see so many former churchgoers come together to share their cherished memories and speak of the impact the church had on their lives.

“This gathering not only celebrated the rich history of the church but also strengthened our community bonds, which is a testament to the enduring spirit of Greenock."