Clydebank church closes after 127 years

Worshippers at the Morison Memorial United Reformed Church (URC) are hopping across Dumbarton Road after over a century of serving local Christian followers.

In January, the Post reported on plans to find somewhere that was ‘better suited’ to the congregation numbers with parish minister Reverend Mitchell Bunting citing at the time cost issues with the upkeep of the 19th-century building as a reason for the decision to move.

The final service, attended by Provost Douglas McAllister, was attended by an estimated 60 people.

Provost McAllister told the Post: “The Church and congregation have borne witness to their Christian faith and have served the community of Clydebank for 127 years and although it was a very sad occasion, it was an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on their contribution to our town over all those years and look forward to continuing at their new premises.

Provost McAllister visited for the final service (Image: Douglas McAllister)

“It was a great privilege and honour to join them and take part in their service and I extend my best wishes to the Morison Memorial United Reform Church and all their parishioners with their future plans.”

Rev Bunting admitted last Sunday’s service was ‘emotional’.

He detailed one ‘cheery’ parishioner, who had been absent from the church recently but had been going for over 90 years, returning and just 'happy to see his friends again.'

But the minister admitted now was the right time to move on.

He said: “It was just too much to handle for the elderly congregation.”

The Morison Memorial URC will now move to an ‘on the pavement and modern’ outlet just a stone’s throw away from the old building.

Rev Bunting finished: “It is just going to be, however, we find it, chairs, tables, we will do whatever we can. It will be wonderfully chaotic." 

Morison Memorial URC will begin services at their new site on Sunday, April 23 at 11am.