The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
St Mark’ s one of 10 churches facing closure
Aberdeen’s historic St Mark’s Church on Rosemount Viaduct is one of 10 Church of Scotland kirks earmarked for closure as congregations are to decide which buildings to keep.
The Presbytery of Aberdeen and Shetland is struggling with limited resources and a lack of ministers to serve its 38 churches.
As a result, the Church has told the presbytery to create seven parish groupings where congregations come together to reduce the number of ministers who are needed. The change was proposed in 2021.
Aberdeen churches earmarked for closure are:
• St Mark’s
• Bucksburn Stoneywood
• Holburn West
• Kingswells
• Rubislaw (sanctuary, not Church Centre)
• Ruthrieston West
• South St Nicholas Kincorth
• St George’s Tillydrone z St Stephen’s z Woodside.
The number of churches in Shetland was reduced from 31 to 11 during a major restructuring three years ago.
Now Aberdeen might have to suffer the same fate, and cut numbers from 27 to 17.
By bringing congregations together and closing churches, the Church of Scotland says it can continue to grow and evolve, as the number of ministers needed across Aberdeen and Shetland under the new mission plan will be reduced from 38 to 28.
Presbytery clerk Rev John Ferguson said: “We know these changes will be challenging for all of us.
“However, given that presbytery has already begun implementing its suspended 2020 plan, we believe that we are in a strong position to continue to cope with change and restructuring.
“This is an opportunity to refocus our efforts and prepare for ministry in the years ahead and we are confident that in this plan we offer a considered, effective and robust structure for ministry”.
A similar process has also begun in Gordon in Aberdeenshire.
The Presbytery of Aberdeen and Shetland, the Faith Nurture Forum and general trustees have until December 31 to finalise plans to be carried out over the next five years.
Those affected by the proposed changes are being urged to come forward with their opinions.
Eunice McConnach, convenor of the presbytery’s planning and development committee, said the plan has started in Aberdeen.
“The Presbytery of Aberdeen and Shetland is committed to the ‘parish groupings’ suggested previously where congregations are encouraged to work together and, in some cases, to form unions during the next five years,” she said.
“Some groupings are already up and running and working towards the aims of the revised plan.”