By Hugh Boag
The doors of Corrie Parish Church have closed for the last time.
On an emotional day a packed congregation filled the Church of Scotland as 136 years of continuous worship in the church came to an end.
The closing service was conducted by reader Liz Clarke last Sunday and attended by interim moderator the Rev Tom Macintyre. Past ministers the Rev Angus Adamson and Rev Dr Ian Macleod were among the 250-strong congregation.
In her call to worship Mrs Clarke said: “We are gathered today to leave this church building which has been a faith home for many generations. We are gathered to celebrate the life it has experienced and to recognise that the Spirit of God continues to live and breathe in this community.”
During the service older members of the congregation spoke about their memories of the church which first opened in 1887.
Afterwards the congregation stayed on and mingled and enjoyed teas and coffee with sandwiches and cakes as they said their own farewell to the treasured building.
Mrs Clarke said afterwards: “The church was full and, although it was a solemn occasion, there was a warm and uplifting atmosphere. The lunch after the service was enjoyed by many who, like me, were reluctant to leave.
“As I left through the front doors it hit me that this would be the last time I would do this. I have had a wonderful experience taking the services over the past two years and have also enjoyed the many social occasions in the church.
“The personal memories shared during the service brought smiles to our faces and, although the building will no longer be used for worship, the memories will remain for a long time.”
Corrie is one of four churches to close under a review by the Church of Scotland with Lamlash closing next Sunday, October 28 and Kilmory on November 5. The Tin Church in Pirnmill closed in January.
