A HIGHLANDS and Islands MSP has called on the Church of Scotland to reconsider the proposed sale of St John’s Church in Dunoon, following concerns from members of the local congregation.
Tim Eagle MSP has written to the chair of the Church of Scotland’s General Trustees, which is responsible for the Kirk’s property, after being contacted by church members unhappy about the future of the landmark building.
The intervention comes amid continuing concern over proposals to dispose of St John’s, despite the local Cowal Kirk having recommended that the church should be retained.
Mr Eagle acknowledged the difficult decisions facing the Church of Scotland as it seeks to rationalise its property estate, but said he had been struck by the strength of local feeling surrounding St John’s.
He said: I appreciate that proposals for closing churches are very difficult indeed for understandable reasons, and I don’t wish to make that process even more challenging.
But I have been struck by the very strong reaction by local people to this proposal and their belief that there are alternative arrangements that could be made which would not entail closing St John’s.
The MSP has now asked the General Trustees to look again at the situation and engage with members of the local church and wider community before a final decision on the building’s future is taken.
Mr Eagle added: I do hope that a resolution can be found that reconciles the Church’s need to rationalise its property holdings with the very strong attachment that local people have to their church.
His intervention has been welcomed by a concerned member of Cowal Kirk, who said St John’s was regarded by many as an important community asset as well as a place of worship.
They said: I thought Tim Eagle’s letter was very sensible and explained very well why so many people here feel strongly that St John’s Church must be retained as an invaluable asset to Dunoon.
As a town and community we desperately need such assets. I was glad he mentioned the many community groups who regularly use the buildings, and many of us believe the church should be at the heart of our community.
The church member was, however, strongly critical of the Church of Scotland’s handling of the issue and its wider approach to church closures.
They said there was frustration that arguments being made by communities affected by proposed closures were not always being adequately addressed.
They added: The Church of Scotland appears uncaring and their track record in handling church closures in Scotland recently has been lamentable, causing the Church of Scotland to lose many members and support in many communities.
Perhaps it is time for the Church of Scotland to face its critics in a TV debate. I really do hope the Church of Scotland will, or can, change its mind.
