Devastating news this week for the Blantyre community and especially the congregation and organisations associated with Blantyre’s Livingstone Memorial Church, as closure of the building becomes more certain.
Following a meeting on Saturday 27th April 2024, the Presbytery of Forth Valley and Clydesdale considered but rejected the appeal presented on the day that the closure be reconsidered. As a result Livingstone Memorial Church on Glasgow Road, with mission roots going back 153 years takes another significant step towards permanent closure.
The decision, which was outside the control of the Minister and Elders, is part of the Church of Scotland’s Mission Plan 2022 – 2027, which sets out Nationally to decrease the amount of owned buildings and reduce their ministry costs, due to unavoidable, increasing financial restrictions.
In moving forward, steps will be taken to unite the 3 Blantyre Churches, retaining Blantyre Old, and St Andrews building.
The plan is for Livingstone Memorial Church to close by June 2025 or the date of union, a date which is subject to review and dependent upon the implementation of the 5-year rolling plan.
The congregation have been notified of the development earlier today and naturally the news is most unwelcome, and upsetting.
At a meeting on Saturday, a spokesperson for the Church told Blantyre Telegraph, “We’re disappointed that our appeal was not upheld and has resulted in this unfortunate outcome. Sadly, not only does this affect the congregation of Livingstone Memorial Church but also adversely affects the continuation of long-established clubs and organisations associated with the Church including those who currently use our buildings plus the 3rd Blantyre Scout Group whose hall is attached to the Church Building. This is happening at a difficult time when so many other community halls are closing.”
“The Church closure announcement is and will have a profound effect on the whole community, especially so when you consider it relates to a protected B-listed building, well known locally for its historic connection to David Livingstone. A building which for nearly a Century and a half has honoured the famous explorer recognising the most well-known person to have come from Blantyre.”
“For now, services and worship continues as normal and it should be known that we are working hard in the background to keep everybody associated with the Church as informed as possible, whilst doing all we can under the circumstances”.
It is unknown at this time what will happen to the building upon closure.
Photo Courtesy: Jim Brown
