Members of an Aberdeen church have been given an ultimatum: to merge congregations or dissolve.
Garthdee Parish Church is currently £60,000 in debt and needs £120,000 worth of urgent repairs.
Now the Church of Scotland has told the congregation two choices – either to merge with Mannofield Church, a 20-minute walk away, or to dissolve completely.
But the congregation is furious, and have accused the Church as going “against the will and best interests” of local people.
Paul O’Connor, of Garthdee Community council, said: “There is no option to rebuild the attendance and usage of the building, merely two options that ultimately means the loss of Garthdee church.
“The Church of Scotland is acting against the will and best interests of the Garthdee people and community, and this was made perfectly clear by residents at the public meeting in August.”
But Rev Scott Rennie yesterday insisted the merger option was a “great opportunity” for Garthdee residents.
Speaking on behalf of Presbytery, Rev Rennie said: “The Presbytery are offering the opportunity of an energy-efficient and sustainable building with extra staffing aimed at young people in recognition that we are committed to that part of the city.
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“The two churches will be able to bring together ideas and collaborate in the future, a pattern we’d like to continue across the city.
“People do have an emotional attachment to buildings, which I understand, but we can’t live in the past and the current situation is just unsustainable.
“If we can’t bring about a union, we can’t bring a way for the parish to be sustainable to the future.”
Ron Thomson, a member of Garthdee Church, remains sceptical however.
He said: “On November 4 members of the congregation members broke into three groups to discuss the options.
“Every one of those groups said they wanted to see an extra option on the voting paper: the option to merge but retain the Garthdee building.
“This option is however not to be even offered.
“I and several other people, both members and officers, will vote for no merger.”
A vote on the proposals – and the future of the church building – will be held in two weeks.
