Church buildings to be sold over costly repairs
GoogleTwo church buildings in Irvine are set to be sold after a review by the Church of Scotland, including one that is nearly 200-years-old.
A meeting of United Irvine Church of Scotland's (UICS) Kirk Session decided it was unrealistic to keep all five of the area's centres open, and two would need to close.
Mure Relief, which was built in the mid-19th Century, and Mure Relief Mission Centre, which dates back to the mid-70s, were chosen due to the amount of remedial work required to bring them up to standard.
A third building, the old St Andrews building that has been closed since the Covid pandemic, is already up for sale in the area.
The General Trustees, the owners of UICS buildings, have previously recommended retaining sites in Dreghorn and Springside, Fullarton and Girdle Toll, to give a geographical spread of buildings which can be developed further as hubs.
Present activities in Mure Relief West Road and Bourtreehill Mission Centre will continue until the summer of 2026, and possibly until the end of next year.
Rev Neil Urquhart said: "There is no easy way through this painful period of transition in releasing three of our bases for worship, work and witness.
"We assure our brothers and sisters from Mure Relief and St Andrew's of continuing empathy, love and prayers in United Irvine Church, as we come to terms with unpalatable realities."
A number of churches across the country are currently facing closure as the Church of Scotland looks to reduce its property portfolio.
