Trinity Church's future in doubt after the Church of Scotland confirmed it will be sold if a Presbytery of Inverness five-year cost-cutting plan is approved after consultation
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A shocked Inverness congregation was told on Sunday its church could be sold.
Members of Trinity Church learned during morning worship that Inverness Presbytery was consulting on possible closure of the church and halls at Huntly Place, beside the River Ness. The manse in Kenneth Street could also be sold, the Church of Scotland said.
The proposal, part of a five-year cost-cutting plan under consideration, would see Trinity’s congregation unite with Dalneigh and Kinmylies, with the latter two church buildings retained.
Community leaders are vowing to oppose the move, warning it would spell the loss of an important social asset within Merkinch.
Established in 1977 after the merger of the old Queen Street and Merkinch congregations, the venue hosts numerous community.
The move would end 150 years of church presence in the parish.
Highland councillor Bet McAllister said members feared elderly church-goers would find it difficult to attend alternative services at Dalneigh, Kinmylies or Ness Bank.
“Members were devastated when told at Sunday’s service,” she said.
“An appeal will be lodged next month to see if there is any chance of the Presbytery of Inverness changing its mind.
“This is an elderly congregation. Many are without transport and simply unable to walk the distances to other churches.
“My concern is that a relatively disadvantaged area will be further disadvantaged.
“The church and two halls are a valuable meeting place for the Girls’ Brigade, Boys’ Brigade, fencing club, karate club, British Legion flag bearers, Fuchsia Club, Gamblers Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous and Crossreach Counselling.
“There is no obvious replacement venue.”
Funds raised from the use by clubs and groups paid for a new £10,000 boiler system two years ago.
If closure is confirmed, Cllr McAllister will ask Highland Council to look at acquiring the church and halls for community use.
She added: “Trinity is at the heart of its community. The loss of it would damage the social fabric of Merkinch and South Kessock.”
Fellow Inverness Central councillor Janet Campbell said: “I will urgently investigate how we might prevent closure.”
Ex-Highland councillor Peter Corbett, now working for the anti-poverty Merkinch Partnership charity, called on Merkinch Community Council to create a viable action plan to save Trinity.
A Church of Scotland spokesman said: “The Church of Scotland in Inverness is at the beginning of a consultation process to determine how limited resources should be allocated to congregations over the lifetime of a five-year draft mission plan.
“No final decisions have been taken.
“Kirk Sessions in Inverness are being asked for their views on the possible creation of a new team ministry which will see the congregations of Trinity, Dalneigh And Kinmylies uniting.
“The area would be served by two ministers and one full-time member of staff such as a community/youth worker, as well as a locally-funded post.
“Dalneigh and Kinmylies churches would be retained and Trinity church sold at some point during the five-year lifespan of the plan.”
The spokesman stressed any such move would have to be agreed by the presbytery and committees of the Church of Scotland by December 31.
