Glasgow church community charity staff face redundancy

The church is one of three in the area that are merging to form a single congregation after a process that has lasted over 20 years. Community groups previously said they hoped the building would remain open for at least two years to allow community projects to continue operating.

Tron St Mary’s, Colston Wellpark, and Springburn Parish churches will be amalgamated following discussions which started in the early 2000s. The key formal steps in concluding the process have taken place between 2024 and the start of this year.

The CoS has said this is part of the wider plan for the city's places of worship.

The Glasgow Times previously reported, after speaking with those in the area, that every congregation agreed it has been an "emotional time" with the departure of Rev Rhona Graham from Tron St Mary's Church and the more recent departure of Rev Brian Casey from Springburn Parish Church.

The church later revealed that Rev Casey is on "administrative suspension from his duties" while he is under disciplinary investigation by the presbytery over several allegations.

The Herald asked the CoS for an update on the investigation, but it is still ongoing. The Kirk previously told us that “this process is ongoing and yet to conclude; therefore, it would be inappropriate to make any further comment.”

Colston Wellpark Parish Church is closing (Image: Newsquest)

Tron St Mary’s Parish Church opened in its present building in 1965, and its future is now uncertain.

Tron St Mary's Community and Family Support Project has been running since 2013 to encourage integration, socialising, support and inclusiveness; however, the two members of staff employed by the charity have now been told they'll face a 30-day redundancy consultation.

A source close to the church told The Herald that the staff were "sacked on one month's notice" at the start of June, but the church has refuted that a decision has been made.

The source also said the decision "has come out of the blue, with no justification or explanation," however, CoS said that staff have been aware for two years and "last autumn were told they would be supported if they wished to seek alternative employment."

The project is financially solvent, and the source said it is "well-used and well-run, while the rental lease still has till next year to run." They also claimed that service users were not yet aware of the project's planned closure.

CoS remains firm that no decision has been made, but admitted that the grant-funded project itself "remains fragile."

The three congregations will be amalgamated at Springburn Parish Church (Image: Newsquest)

A spokesperson for the CoS said: “A new Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) was established to help safeguard the community project and jobs in the short term until there was greater clarity about the future of the building, which is in a poor state of repair.

“Staff have not been sacked, nor were they given only one month’s notice, rather they were advised on 1 June that a 30-day redundancy consultation was beginning.

“This situation has not arisen without warning, staff have known for two years that Tron St Mary’s was preparing to unite with two other congregations, Springburn and Colston Wellpark.

“The SCIO is solvent and there is clear demand for its services, but the grant-funded project itself remains fragile because it has few volunteers and depends heavily on the two staff members.

“They have been employed on rolling fixed-term contracts and last autumn were told they would be supported if they wished to seek alternative employment.

“The proper process is underway and no final decisions have been made.”

Registered charity Tron St Mary's Parish Church of Scotland, Glasgow, was removed on April 27, 2026. It is now part of the United Congregation Glasgow: Springburn Trinity Parish Church of Scotland, SC004397.

The OSCR site states that Springburn Trinity Parish Church of Scotland's financial documents are overdue by eight months and 11 days.

Speaking on the overdue accounts, a spokesperson for the CoS said: “Tron St Mary's Church will unite with Colston Wellpark and Springburn churches to form Springburn Trinity Church on 11 June.

“The new congregation, governed by a fresh constitution, will use the charity number SC004397, which was previously used by Springburn Parish Church.

“The 2025 accounts for Tron St Mary’s Church, which no longer has its own charity number, are being finalised with the help of an external agency.

“Separately, the 2025 accounts for the former Springburn Parish Church are also currently being prepared.”