PLANS to close two-thirds of Dumbarton’s churches have been revealed.
A ‘draft mission plan’ – developed by Clyde Presbytery, the Church of Scotland’s (COS) administrative body for the area – outlines proposals to shut two out of three of the Kirk's buildings in the town - St Andrew’s, in Bellsmyre, and the West Kirk.
If approved at a meeting on Saturday (March 18), the closures would see both congregations unite with nearby Riverside.
Similarly, the plan proposes both the congregations at Lomond Parish Church and Kilmaronock-Gartocharn unite, with Lomond's building used as the main centre of worship and only occasional services at Gartocharn.
Renton Trinity and Bonhill’s buildings will remain open.
The report states that a set of criteria was established in order to make decisions as to which buildings would stay open and which would close as required as part of the mission plan.
This included the results of an AMBA (Asset Management Building Audit) on each building, a report from the Presbytery’s building officer on the most suitable location to optimise mission, accessibility, condition, heating, adaptability, capacity, and resources.
Churches in the area either received a category A (required for future use) designation or category B (not required for future use and to be disposed of).
Dumbarton Church of Scotland building designations:
Category A
Riverside Parish Church
Lomond Parish Church
Renton Trinity Parish Church
Bonhill Parish Church
Category B
St Andrew’s Parish Church
The West Kirk
Gartocharn Church
Currently, there is only one serving minister in post in the whole of West Dunbartonshire – Reverend Gregor McIntyre, who is the minister at Faifley Parish Church in Clydebank.
Services at other church buildings around the area – including those in Dumbarton, Lomond, Gartocharn, Renton, and Bonhill – are being taken by locum ministers and/or lay members.
What changes if the plan is approved?
Riverside, St Andrews, West Kirk
St Andrew’s 90 members alongside West Kirk’s 129 members will join up with Riverside’s congregation (420 members).
The report states that “it is believed that the mission to the town of Dumbarton would be better served by one congregation”.
It also says the Kirk Sessions of the three existing congregations "are agreeable to entering into a triple union".
The united congregation will be based at Riverside’s building and will be served by one full-time minister and one part-time ministries development staff.
The other two churches will be closed with the report adding “every effort to continue mission in the areas where church buildings are being closed [is being taken]”.
Development opportunities
The Presbytery report says there is “great potential” to work among young people, with four primary schools and one secondary school in the town.
Additionally, there is an opportunity to develop fresh expressions of worship and church life such as ‘Café Church’ and ‘Messy Church’.
It goes on to state there are also opportunities to engage with people out with the congregations. These include; bookbug for infants, holiday clubs for older children, and participation in West Dunbartonshire community and voluntary services.
Lomond and Kilmaronock Gartocharn
The report states that the “ultimate goal” in the Vale of Leven area is to have one congregation (along with Bonhill and Renton Trinity) served by two full-time ministers.
It does, however, say it is not believed that this would be achievable within the five-year lifetime of the plan.
It is proposed that the congregations at Lomond and Kilmaronock Gartocharn unite in Lomond’s building and be served by one full-time minister.
The main centre of worship will be Lomond, with additional services possibly being held monthly at Gartocharn Church, and at different times to the regular service at Lomond.
However, it has been agreed that the Gartocharn church building will be disposed of up to one year after the union is created.
Bonhill and Renton Trinity
Both Bonhill and Renton Trinity’s buildings will be retained during the transition phase.
It is proposed that a 'transition ministry post' – for which a detailed job description will be produced – is appointed to a linked charge of Bonhill and Renton to help the two congregations to work more closely together, as well as leading them towards an eventual union with their neighbours in Lomond and Gartocharn.
The full draft mission plan can be viewed on Clyde Presbytery's website HERE.
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