A GLASGOW city centre church that has been serving the Gaelic community since 1770 has been forced to leave their premises. 

St Columba, the Gaelic Church of Glasgow, is now unable to use the church at St Vincent Street, due to major repairs needing carried out. 

The building was found to be in a perilous state and no longer safe condition for any public access.

In a statement on its website, Melvyn Wood, Interim Moderator, told members of the church that both the Presbytery of Glasgow and the general trustees who effectively own the building "are opposed to retaining it in use and wish it to be disposed of". 

Mr Wood went on to say: "The Session did everything it could to find ways to keep the church open, however with a combination of Covid restrictions and with Presbytery having closed down the option to seek external funding, it is hard to see how the congregation can use the building again.

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"While members will be very unhappy at the prospect of selling such an iconic building which holds so many precious memories, the congregation’s legal counsel is very strongly urging you to accept disposal of the building as the best route towards a rejuvenation of the congregation’s distinctive ministry." 

A number of options for alternative venues have since been explored. 

The church's congregation is being asked to attend at Blawarthill Church Hall, Scotstoun, temporarily, until their own services restart. 

Meanwhile, weekly online services continue via the "Eaglais Air-loidhne / Gaelic Church Online" YouTube channel. 

The Presbytery Mission Team say they are working with the congregation to develop a mission plan for further work among Gaelic speakers in the city and families whose children attend the Gaelic-medium school.

For more information, click here.