Historic Church of Scotland union in village of Kilmacolm

The uniting of the congregations at Old Kilmacolm and St Columba's means that the combined church will now be able to call a minister, having both been without one for several years.

A joyous union service for the new Kilmacolm Parish Church was led by the new interim moderator, the Reverend Jonathan Fleming, who said there was a strong sense of togetherness in the united congregation.

And worshippers say they now have high hopes for the future as they move forward together.

Members of the new Kilmacolm Parish Church congregation. (Image: George Munro)It draws a line under a difficult time for the Church of Scotland in Kilmacolm, with years of negotiations and then a union that fell through two years ago.

Looking to the future, Mr Fleming, who is minister at the Lyle Kirk in Greenock, said: "It was wonderful to see so many there to celebrate with.

"There is a real feeling of hope. It has been a long time coming and the congregation are prepared for the journey ahead.

"Although we know that no union or relationship is straightforward, there is a real excitement about the future.

"It is so important for the village of Kilmacolm that there is there is a minister. We have been without one for a long time. The congregation can now call a minister, and that is the next step.

"Kilmacolm has a really strong community and the Kilmacolm Parish will reflect that. There is a real opportunity here going forward to make a real difference."

Member of the new congregation, Sheena Davidson, 86, Maggie MacKean, 81, and Barbara Marshall and Anne McGregor were among those delighted at the outcome.

Sheena, who has been a member of Old Kilmacolm since 1967, said: "We are all really looking forward to coming together now.

"It is great for the church and it is great for the village. It has been a long time coming but we are here now.

"At the service it was lovely to see people from all different churches coming together. It is lovely that we will be able to make new friends as well and get to know one another better."

Inverclyde councillor David Wilson, who is a member and an elder of the new congregation, said he was delighted at the move.

He said: "I think the most important thing is we are united and we can call a minister.

"It is so important going forward to have a minister in a village church. That will bring everyone together.

"I am absolutely delighted the union has now taken place. 

The local presbytery stepped in to push through the union following the failure to agree in 2022 based on the strong support that did exist.

Some members of Kilmacolm St Columba's congregation had concerns following the decision to use the former Old Kirk as the place of worship following an independent review.

The churches were unable to call a minister until the union had taken place.

The Old Kirk had been without a minister since Reverend Dr Peter McEnhill left in 2019 to take up a post in Rome, before returning to a role in the presbytery.

Along the road, St Columba's has been without a serving minister since Reverend Douglas Cranston was suspended over allegations of theft in 2015, though he was later cleared in court.