Dervaig congregation votes to sell church hall

Parishioners in North Mull have decided to sell Dervaig Church Hall.

 

The building, not to be confused with the much newer and larger village hall, is one of 21 Argyll Presbytery premises designated for potential closure during the next four years.

 

The list is part of a Church of Scotland (CoS) plan to help solve problems of fewer followers and ministers, not enough money and too many properties.

 

Church elder Catherine Evans said the Kirk Session of North Mull Parish was hopeful the church hall in Dervaig would soon be on the market, although there are CoS formal procecces to go through first.

 

"Meanwhile, because we are hearing so much about the number of churches facing closure within Argyll Presbytery and throughout Scotland, a group of us from the local area have started meeting regularly to discuss ideas for moving  forward and encouraging more use of Kilmore Church Dervaig beyond a couple of hours on a Sunday for a service and hopefully ensure its place within the community for years to come," she said.

 

When The Oban Times asked the Church of Scotland for updates on the other buildings on the list, we were told Argyll Presbytery  was "unaware of the status of each building at present".

 

It takes a congregational vote to decide to sell before the individual Kirk Session asks the Presbytery for permission to go ahead. Once allowed, Kirk Session members work with the CoS's general trustees and law department to see it through.

 

None of the churches on that list are currently being offered for sale on the CoS's properties webpage.

 

The only churches on sale in Argyll for now are Ardchattan at North Connel and St Munda’s in Ballachullish.

 

Ardchattan Kirk shut in January 2019 and took one year before a 'for sale' sign went up. Originally the asking price was offers of £115,000. According to the website, that figure has since slumped to £90,000. It has been "under offer" for well over one year. Its congregation moved to St Modan's in Benderloch.

 

Islanders on Lismore have been organising drop-in sessions and consultations to decide whether to keep its St Moluag's church in community hands.

 

Other island buildings are Tiree's Heylipol Church, Rothesay’s Trinity Church and large extended hall, Daliburgh Church on South Uist and on Islay, Kilmeny Church, Portnahaven Church and Port Ellen’s Columba Hall.

 

Back on the mainland, Lochgilphead Parish Church looks sure to close in less than four years after the CoS's Mission Plan Review group rejected a request for the recommended closure to be reviewed. The panel's decision is final with no scope for any further appeals.

 

Other mainland buildings are: Kilmore Church near Oban, Kilchrenan Church, Dalavich Church, Ardfern Church, Bridge of Orchy Church, Crianlarich Church, Highland Parish Church in Campbeltown, Bellanoch Church at Crinan, High Kirk Church in Dunoon, Kilfinan Church and Colintraive Church.

 

No final decisions have been made yet about any of the six category B buildings in the Lochaber presbytery.