Campaign launched to keep closure-threatened historic West Stirlingshire church open

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A community campaign has been set up to save a historic West Stirlingshire church threatened with closure.The Church of Scotland considers Buchanan Parish Church near Balmaha surplus to requirements.It is part of a Stirling Presbytery rationalisation programme which also includes Logie Kirk, Blairlogie.However, residents have formed a campaign to keep the Milton of Buchanan church open.The B-listed church building was designed by celebrated 18th century Scottish architect John Adam, and erected by Alexander Gowan between 1761 and 1764.Buchanan Parish Church elder Alison Bruce said this week: “Our congregation is in very good heart and we have a regular attendance at the church, which is both in a fantastic state of repair both physical and spiritually.“We do not agree with Presbytery’s assessment that the church is ‘not fit for purpose’.“Buchanan Parish Church is more than just a building, it is a direct link to the earliest days of the Church of Scotland and a vital part of the community.“It is not even a financial burden to the Church, so we cannot understand the rationale behind this proposal at all and urge a rethink.

We would hope the Church would allow us to reach a compromise. If not, we may consider acquiring it and running it as an independent congregation.”Click here for more news and sport from the Stirling area.The church was first built through a donation from the third Duke of Montrose, who funded a move from its first home on Inchcailloch on Loch Lomond – Gaelic for ‘isle of the hooded woman’ or ‘isle of the nun – which had been established in honour of St Kentigerna,The current Duke of Montrose is a member of Buchanan Parish Church and has joined the campaign to save the building.He said: “The church