Kirk’s move heralds new era for Riddrie
WORSHIPPERS in the East End have plenty to rejoice and be glad in after winning their bid to convert a disused office block into a church.
The Dennistoun Baptist Church ( DBC) has secured permission to move to the space on Cumbernauld Road, in Riddrie, following a meeting by planning chiefs last week.
Members of the kirk, which is currently based on Finlay Drive, also intend to turn their new Cumbernauld Road premises into a community cafe.
Pastor Mark Morris said: “We are really encouraged by the news and it has been a journey for us over the last year or so.
“We are working in a number of different areas in Dennistoun and this includes helping refugees and asylum seekers who have arrived in Glasgow.
“We have the real intention of helping families in the area and to be community- based.
“As we have been doing that, we have been blessed to be given the chance to help people in a new area in the East End.
“We just made a gentle enquiry last year about the possibility of purchasing and it’s been a bit of a journey from then until now.
“We want to use the place as a community hub in Riddrie, where people can use the place to get supported.”
As well as Sunday services, DBC holds weekly prayer meetings, a mens’ football group, and English as a Second Language course.
Their new building, near HMP Barlinnie, was previously a church before being transformed into offices, most recently used by Glendale Electrical. The premises have remained vacant, however, since the firm was wound up in 2017.
Pastor Morris confirmed DBC’s intention to keep the Finlay Drive location open.
He added: “This is about us following the example of Jesus. He has been so good to us and we want to help our local community.”