A third Renfrewshire church has been earmarked for closure as the Church of Scotland axe falls on Paisley North.
Plans published by the church body suggest the former Wallneuk North Church should close and the congregation amalgamated with Oakshaw Trinity Church.
It would also mean the loss of the minister for the church, a position currently being held by interim moderator Stuart Davidson.
The proposal comes as part of the Clyde Presbytery’s efforts to reduce the number of ministers from 60 to 40.
The Paisley Daily Express has already revealed that Renfrew North Church and Johnstone High Parish Church have also been proposed for closure as part of the cull.
Reverend Davidson said the news had been a hammer blow to the congregation which has had a presence in Paisley for over 100 years.
Rev Davidson, who moved to Paisley North following the closure of St Ninian’s Church in Ferguslie, said members of the congregation have called on him to fight for the future of the Abercorn Street venue and the role it plays at the heart of the wider community.
He said: “The congregation has had a presence in Paisley for over 100 years and, in addition to housing a worshipping and serving congregation of faith, continues to be well-used as a town-centre premises for many other organisations within Paisley.
“There are so many things happening in the church, it is not just Sunday service.
“I know the previous minister here spoke of the church as being the heart of the community and these groups and organisations as the lungs and that is very much the case in Paisley North.”
The Church of Scotland announced plans to reduce the number of ministers and churches across the Clyde Presbytery last year in recognition of the challenges in finding enough ministers to cover the parishes and the rising costs of maintaining and running the built estate.
However, given the closure of St Ninian’s Church, St James’ and the Sandyford Church in the past five years, the people of Paisley North believe they have already shouldered their fair share of the burden.
The church has already welcomed members from those closed churches in recent years.
Rev Davidson added: “As the parish of Paisley North includes the north west corner of Paisley stretching out towards Elderslie, along the boundary with the M8 and east to include Gallowhill, we are anxious not to lose the building which currently houses all our activities and seeks to serve the people of this area of Paisley.
“Given the situation within the Church of Scotland and the recent closures over the last five years, the new congregation of Paisley North Church are keen to have the opportunity to continue to flourish.
“Folk in Paisley North recognise that changes need to be made but believe their buildings could be used as a base for wider work within Paisley North West and reaching out to people of all ages, not just our older people but children and young people too.”
A spokeswoman for the Church of Scotland said the Clyde Presbytery is working through a five-year mission plan to ensure sustainable parishes going forward.
She said: “No final decisions have been taken with regards to Paisley North Church and proposals set out in the draft plan could be changed as the process continues.
“Discussions are still underway and Clyde Presbytery has not yet formally approved its mission plan, but hopes to do so at a meeting in March.
“The Church understands that decisions that will eventually be made will be challenging and bring understandable sadness for those who have been connected with a particular church for a very long time, and will act in good faith to ensure sensitive transfer of use/ownership.”
Renfrew church marked for closure could be granted 11th-hour lifeline
A Renfrewshire church that was threatened with closure could be on the verge of being saved.
The Clyde Presbytery had planned to close Renfrew North Parish as the Church of Scotland seeks to reduce the number of ministers from 60 to 40.
The Paisley Daily Express first reported on the news of the potential closure back in November.
In response to the planned closure, a petition was set up with the intention of showing the strength of feeling in the local community against the closure. The petition has nearly 2,000 signatures.
The community response seems to have had some effect, with the Clyde Presbytery said to be considering saving the church.
The church is now being earmarked to be reclassified as a “Category A” building.
A confirmation of this is expected at a meeting of the Presbytery on Saturday, March 18.
Reverend Phillip Wallace shared the good news of the change in heart from the Presbytery, though the decision is not yet final, and he warned against celebrating too early.
He said: “I have now been informed that the current thinking of the Presbytery Planning Group is to propose that the Renfrew North building is categorised as Category A, that is, required for future use. When the next version of the draft Presbytery Plan is published the text will read something like: ‘Union between Renfrew North and Inchinnan, both buildings Category A, with one Minister of Word and Sacrament; Renfrew Trinity buildings Category A with one Minister of Word and Sacrament.’
“This will come as a great relief to all of us. However, we are also reminded that the Plan still needs to be approved by the meeting of Presbytery on March 18, the Presbytery Mission Plan Implementation Group (a national Church of Scotland committee) and the Church of Scotland General Trustees.”
Don't miss the latest Renfrewshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
