A historic Bishopbriggs church has held its final Sunday service after more than a century, sparking anger and sadness in the community.
Colston Wellpark Parish Church, which opened in 1915 and is regarded as the most historic kirk in Springburn, closed its doors on June 7 after 110 years of worship.
The building, designed by prominent early 20th‑century Glasgow architect Henry E. Clifford, is one of three local churches – Tron St Mary’s, Colston Wellpark and Springburn Parish – being amalgamated into a single congregation under the Church of Scotland’s mission plan for the city.
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Announcing the final service, MSP Paul Sweeney said: “The last Sunday service at Colston Wellpark Parish Church after 110 years. The Church of Scotland's decision to close Colston Wellpark is deeply disappointing. It is the most historic kirk in Springburn, designed by Henry E. Clifford, one of Glasgow's most prominent early 20th century architects.
"The parish has served the community well, with 1,100 baptisms recorded through its history. I went to nursery in the church hall. I will continue to work with the parish elders and congregation to save the building and give it a dignified new use.”
Congregation members have previously told of feeling “bullied into a corner” over the closure, claiming the three churches “really haven’t had any or much input” into the merger and that Colston Wellpark felt “doomed from the start” once it was earmarked to shut.
Under the agreed plan, the united congregation will worship at Springburn Parish Church, while Tron St Mary’s will be retained for community projects and outreach, and the Colston Wellpark building is expected to be disposed of at a later stage.
