Knightswood church to close despite campaign to save it

At a meeting by the Presbytery of Glasgow last night, assessors gave their final say and the decision was taken that the Knightswood St Margaret's Church building is to shut its doors.

The nearly 100-year-old church which was designed by renowned architect Sir Robert Lorimer was up against Temple Anniesland Parish Church after a plan was set to close one of them.

Organist, Christine Furnish, 77, shared her concerns with the Post last week over the then-upcoming process which she believed would have her beloved church 'unfairly' chosen.

Knightswood St Margaret's parish church, Glasgow (Image: Colin Mearns)

READ MORE: Worshipers bid to save 'unique' Glasgow church which could close

She has shared her disappointment after attending the meeting last night where she heard the 'awful' news, saying her congregation feels 'cheated'.

She said: "I’m very disappointed and we feel we've been treated quite badly.

"They don't give you any time really to get forces together. I've been rushing around getting signatures.

"The petition placed in the Post Office got 200 signatures but they didn't give us any time to get this up and running.

"I've been a member of the church for years and I've played the organ since I was 15 and I just don't hold my loyalty in the regard that I did."

Stain glass windows in Knightswood St Margaret's parish church, Glasgow (Image: Colin Mearns) Interior of Knightswood St Margaret's parish church (Image: Colin Mearns) The Presbytery of Glasgow created a united congregation out of three churches in the North West of the city three years ago. They include Knightswood St Margarets, Temple Anniesland, and St David's.

Two of these churches - Knightswood St Margaret's and Temple Anniesland - found themselves on the breadline as the Presbytery of Glasgow said they would close a minimum of one of these buildings.

Following this decision, Christine believes the Knightswood worshipers will have a hard time transitioning to Temple Anniesland.

She said: "It's far too far away, but that doesn't seem to be taken into consideration by the assessors. I think they're going to be left with a very small congregation.

"I saw the lady who was one of the assessors and I just said to her 'You've made the wrong decision here'.

"I think they want the money [for the sale of the building] - they're closing so many. That's why we're so angry about it. We feel we've been unjustly treated.

"I just hope there are better times ahead."

Rev Dr Grant Barclay, Presbytery Clerk for the Presbytery of Glasgow, said: “Last evening the Presbytery of Glasgow determined that the former St Margaret’s building should be let go.

“It did this after a long discussion at which congregational representatives and others were heard at length.

“The Presbytery makes no financial gain whatsoever from this disposal.

“The proceeds from any sale will be held by the General Trustees for use by the new congregation which shall operate from the church premises in Anniesland and at the St David’s Knightswood building.”