Editor – Since I have just read June 5’s Dunoon Observer I was surprised to find no letters, bearing in mind the hot potato that was announced in last week’s edition about the potential closure and sale of St John’s Church, and its subsequent confirmation this week.
I must say, the closure does not surprise me since for as long as I can remember back in the 1940’s and onwards when I used to live opposite the church, there was seemingly permanent scaffolding at some point outside the building, particularly somewhere around the steeple.
It is a huge building with what must be a huge fabric budget and as such, rapidly becomes uneconomic. I was often surprised that St John’s was preferred over the High Kirk but that’s water under the bridge. Mind you, there is a similar problem in Lochgilphead where the only Church of Scotland is facing closure.
It would appear to be coming a feature where communities are losing their churches. Presumably the only way to prevent that would be that some local connections would be prepared to guarantee the continuing maintenance for many years to come.
Food for thought.
Ron MacInnes
Bishopton
