Largs church closures confirmed - and Clark Memorial to be renamed

St John's Church and St Columba's Parish Church will both close on dates still to be determined under plans by the Kirk to rationalise its buildings estate.

Cumbrae Parish Church also lost its appeal on improving ministerial coverage for the island.

Under the plans, the town's Clark Memorial Church building will be renamed.

Moving forward with a new era for Largs Churches - Rev Dr Graham McWilliams (Image: Newsquest)

The Fairlie and Cumbrae churches will also remain open, but will become part of a single parish covering Fairlie, Cumbrae and Largs.

Reverend Dr Graham McWilliams, minister at St Columba's and Fairlie, said: "The church is moving on and we have to move forward.

"There were eight reviews sought from across the former Presbytery of Ardrossan and none of the reviews were upheld. 

"So the expected changes should not be a surprise to any of the congregations as it means we are now moving forward with the Presbytery mission plan as was agreed last June.

Closing - St Columba's Parish Church (Image: Newsquest)

"On the first Sunday of each month, we are holding a single act of worship, involving all three Largs church congregations, where everyone can gather as one at the Clark Memorial Church.

"The first service was at the beginning of March, and the church was full, which was a real blessing, and it is how we hope to move forward.

"We have also been hosting pulpit exchanges on the third Sunday of the month, allowing the congregations to know the clergy."

The review panel which looked at the appeals for St John's and St Columba's found no flaw in the original process or procedure in the decision made, and that everything was done correctly.

Closing - St John's Church (Image: Newsquest)

Dr McWilliams said: "It was quite right that the respective Kirk Sessions challenged the initial decisions, but the process has been fully checked as a result, and everything in the original review was found to be correct.

"What happens now is that, after the union of all five current congregations, the Clark Memorial Church building will change its name and become the Largs Community Church as the start of the union - and it will no longer be called Clark Memorial.

"Likewise Fairlie Parish will become Fairlie Community Church, and Cumbrae Parish will become Cumbrae Community Church.

"There will be one parish of Fairlie, Cumbrae and Largs, which was agreed last June.

"This will be how we move forward as we continue to worship God and share our faith - under the name of Cumbrae, Fairlie and Largs Parish Church.

"The Kirk Session will be in control of the buildings and they will determine what the buildings are used for in future whether they are sold or used in some other capacity.

"There will no change at the present time as both St John's and St Columba's Parish will continue to stay open for normal worship gatherings but on the first Sunday of every month we will have the one act of worship in Clark Memorial, and worship in Fairlie and Cumbrae Parish Church continues.

"All the churches are currently working together towards a basis of union - and until that time the churches will all be staying open."