Sorry to see historic churchputonmarket

Dear editor, It was rather sad to read those headlines ‘Church is put on the market for offers over £20,000 after congregation numbers fall’ (Perthshire Advertiser, August 27).

Sadly throughout the land it is a familiar situation.

It is sad to see a church fall silent, yet remain a dominant part of the scene.

Reading of the fate of St Anne’s Church in Dowally where services are held twice a month, it noted residents are choosing to go to Dunkeld.

Well one must consider that saying: “Use it or lose it .”

It’s a shame given the history of the building - in fact, it has stood since 1818, and it is now to be put on the market.

But I can’t help notice other changes as regards worship is concerned, for instance how the BBC has changed the Sunday flagship ‘Songs of Praise’ from its familiar evening slot until now just following lunch - does it mean the BBC now sees ‘Songs of Praise’ as less popular when so many are out participating in other pursuits? It makes you think. Gone are the days when every seat filled on Sunday mornings, but I can bet if the morning service was being televised there would be a full house filled with gladrags and hair dos.

But one fact is, if St Anne’s Church had to vanish from the landscape, it would never be the same, as with othe kirks. Those old walls are silent now, hymns sung no more, hugging the memories of centuries of prayer all that happened it had seen like a clock upon the wall. Every eventuality be it big or small but it’s a familiar scene upon our native sod as old doors are locked saying farewell to God.

Thomas Brown Garry Place Bankfoot