Pub to be turned into church (not the other way round, for once!)
FOR years, empty churches across the country have been brought back into use as pubs and clubs.
But now a 120-strong group of worshippers is bucking the trend by applying to convert a disused bar into their new church.
The North Harris Free Church of Scotland wants to take over the Isle of Harris Inn in Tarbert.
It was formed after a split with the Church of Scotland in protest over it voting to ordain gay ministers.
The inn, which was part of the Harris Hotel, was offered to the church by deacon David Cameron, a director of the hotel’s parent company.
If the move goes ahead, it hopes the proposed church could also serve as a community hub.
Church elder Gordon Macleod said the idea was born out of a plea for anyone who could offer buildings or land to speak to the church committee.
Mr Macleod stressed discussions were at a very early stage.
The plans include extending the building by adding an entrance vestibule and making other alterations to provide seating for up to 200 worshippers.
In a report to Western Isles Council planners, architect Covell Matthews said: ‘There is an intention to transfer the equipment from the pub to an underused part of the neighbouring Harris Hotel, expanding the existing capacity of the hotel to offer meals and bar facilities all year round.’
In 2014, about a third of the Tarbert Church of Scotland congregation quit the denomination in protest of the decision to allow gay ministers.
In a ballot, 94 worshippers voted to leave while 131 opted to stay. A further 87 churchgoers did not take part in the vote.
The breakaway group set up a new congregation under the wing of the Free Church.
The following year the congregation welcomed their first minister, the Rev David Macdonald, who has been minister in Ness for nearly 14 years.
If the plans go ahead it will not be the first Western Isles pub to be turned into a church.
On neighbouring North Uist, the Carinish Inn was bought by the Free Church in 2008.
However, it is far more common for former places of worship to be converted into pubs.
Oran Mor, a popular venue in Glasgow’s West End, was formerly Kelvinside Parish Church.