'Unsafe' church is demolished
Linzi Watson • Published 15 Nov 2011 11:00
20 Comments
A PROMINENT Port Glasgow church was torn down yesterday after being condemned by architects.
The Hamilton Bardrainney Church sanctuary was declared unsafe around two years ago because of structural faults in the walls and roof.
The 100-strong congregation were forced out of their home and have since packed into the neighbouring church hall.
They are now hoping that a new sanctuary will be built and are waiting on an update from Church of Scotland headquarters in Edinburgh.
In the meantime, members have started fundraising for a new hub with the Raise the Roof appeal, and they estimate they will need £400,000 in total.
Church minister, Reverend James Munro, said that the new building will be constructed on church land at Bardrainney Avenue.
As the main structure of the distinctive building was pulled down yesterday, Rev Munro told the Telegraph: "I have mixed emotions.
"We all understand that the work is necessary but the building has been a prominent local landmark for 50 to 60 years.
"The design of the church was quite radical and rare, but unfortunately it has not stood the test of time."
Concerns about the state of the building were raised when it was noticed that the walls and the sloping roof were moving and creating gaps.
The church called in experts who used laser technology to examine the scale of deterioration before delivering the bad news that the damage was irrepairable.
Rev Munro added: "It was quite a shock to us all.
"I have been a minister for 33 years, and I have never had a church fall down.
"It is sad to see a popular and well-attended church fall into disrepair."
The minister has been at the helm of the local church for almost 10 years.
He plans to retire next year and hopes that he will see the beginnings of a new chapter in the life of the church before he leaves.
Rev Munro added: "At the moment we are all packed into the hall.
"It is sardine-like but has brought us all closer together.
"I would like to see some positive developments in the building project before I go."
This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 15 Nov 11
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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askelvis
456 posts
Nov 15, 12:15
Report commentYet we can’t comment on the scum whose life men fought so bravely and died for so this piece of S*^t could be able to live a free life. Get a grip telegraph
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Yes 17
No 4
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redcloud
10 posts
Nov 15, 12:24
Report commentA good start, now tear down all the churches, mosques etc and maybe we'll get some normality in the world.
Recommend? Yes 10
No 12
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jonboy
3 posts
Nov 15, 12:32
Report commentI remember this church being built, and if my memory serves me well, it was designed by a woman, the roof was quite unique for the period, it was Parabaloid Hyperbolic roof, known as the ski slope to all us locals at the time, can anyone confirm if my memory is as good as i think it was.
Recommend? Yes 1
No 0
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Si67
101 posts
Nov 15, 14:29
Report commentWell said Elvis. I hope they catch the scum and they get what they deserve.
Re this story, why do the need a new building? There are plenty of empty churches in the area, just use one of those.
Recommend? Yes 6
No 2
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Expatriot
120 posts
Nov 15, 15:28
Report commentSi67, just a wee bit of background for you, there aren't actually a lot of empty churches as you claim, they have either been turned into flats eg Newark Church at top of Balfour St and the West Church in Brown St or have been demolished eg Princes St Church. However the Hamilton Bardrainney Church was built when the town centre Hamilton Church was demolished to build the Port town hall around 1963. The move of the congregation was a reflection on the increased number of houses being built in upper PG as the population were rehoused from the old town centre tenements. So I'd say the relatively modern structure that was Hamilton Bardrainney has been there just under 50 years. Here endeth the lesson.
Recommend? Yes 6
No 0
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SuzyMac1
12 posts
Nov 15, 15:45
Report commentI have many happy memories of going to that church when I was a girl. It was the parish church for Boglestone school. We used to go to Hamilton Bardrainney church on the last day of school term in the 70's. I also have many happy memories of playing in the field surrounding the church. Sad to see it go.
Recommend? Yes 2
No 0
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Gregor
214 posts
Nov 15, 16:00
Report commentRiver Clyde Homes are now in disarray. There are FAR too many incompetents. Their attempt at reform of caretaking services bordered on severe farce.
As for their letting policy, it is a shocker. They have ONE letting list and claim points are linked to so called "need". It in reality means long standing tenants in say high rise flats will be trapped in them - they will not get out them.
It means people who are in houses that are to be demolished end up in NEW houses. Now that includes people who have just moved in to the houses being demolished. It also means junkies and so on are getting new houses BUT long standing tenants are NOT.
If they had TWO lists the above would not be happening. They could simply have an open list for those in need and another list for long standing tenants.
Also, given the so called caretaker reforms rents in high rise flats will rise substantially. People in them will be payingas much if not MORE than those in brand new houses with a garden.
Reader, we need excternal intervention in what is going on. We need our politiicians amongst other to intervene. I ask such people to PLEASE look at what RCH's are doing.
They often refer to the Board. NOT one tenant on it was elected onto it. It is a sham - nothing to do with demos.
We NEED people to intervene. And I do not mean the usual culprits on tenant associations who NOBODY voted for.
Recommend? Yes 6
No 11
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samfraegreenock
156 posts
Nov 15, 16:28
Report commentGregor - What's this to do with Hamilton Bardrainney Church being knocked down - you'll find a RCH thread elsewhere
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No 0
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Gregor
214 posts
Nov 15, 17:42
Report commentAnything you say sam.
Anyway, readers, I am totally sick of local "worthies" as per usual culprits.
They seem to turn up everywhere and end up unelected President or something like that. And in turning up they make all decent people run for cover. Nobody wants to be in the same room as the aforesaid.
School Boards/councils are a good example. They often turn up for one reason and on ereason only - to brown nose the teachers and so on.
Community Councils and so on - they brown nose people in the council.
We even see several family members doing their rounds or some old women, say, who live in Whinhill Court doing it. They make sensible people vomit. They undermine these organisations. NOBODY will listen to old women and men who turn up at every community groups and every group for that matter and end up President minus a vote.
Recommend? Yes 4
No 11
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samfraegreenock
156 posts
Nov 15, 19:45
Report commentAny views on the actual article?
Well I suppose it makes a change from everyone is scum apart from you, which is your usual mince
Recommend? Yes 10
No 1
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jonboy
3 posts
Nov 15, 19:51
Report commentTo Expat.The Hamilton Bardrainney church was built in the fifties, what i believe was the hall, was the original church, but wasnt big enough so they built the now demolished church to replace it in about 1960, it has now gone full circle and they are back in their original home.
Recommend? Yes 5
No 0
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jmmullarkey1
20 posts
Nov 15, 20:24
Report commentRE Redcloud: No need for comments like this. Try and be more accepting of others in future.
Anyway, to business. I am not aware of this particular building, but from reading the article I can probably hazard a guess that this particular building was probably designed and built in the 1960s? I ask because it seems that designs seen then as radical and forward-thinking are facing from build quality problems nowadays. New towns - such as East Kilbride and Cumbernauld etc are full of 'listed' buildings which are slowly disntegrating, and also dangerous. Hope they can find somewhere more permanent soon.
Recommend? Yes 4
No 0
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InchgreenShore
76 posts
Nov 15, 20:38
Report commentThere were six church's erected in Scotland with this type of roof , one was in Johnstone , I believe that they have all been re-roofed to more conventional design;s ,it's pity because they were easy on the eye.
To my understanding that Kirk started in the old wooden hut on the 'fitba park across the road where the Senior Citizens houses now stand , I recall playing there when there were still trains on the "High Line " as we knew it .
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No 0
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Gregor
214 posts
Nov 16, 13:08
Report commentYes indeed redcloud. Churches? Full of pretenders and people brown nosing others. Sickening stuff.
Recommend? Yes 6
No 4
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******
Nov 16, 13:10
Report commentThis comment has been removed by a moderator
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Henke50
28 posts
Nov 16, 15:26
Report commentOnly a Bigot would turn a church demolition story into an Anti catholic church rant
Recommend? Yes 5
No 3
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Gregor
214 posts
Nov 17, 02:07
Report comment"Henke", are YOU disputing that the Catholic Church, WORLDWIDE, protected child molesting priests and monks? Are you disputing that they simply moved them elsewhere whereby they continued to abuse?
So I am a bigot for stating absolute FACT? I'm afraid that does not work. Are we to ignore the facts and let the abuse continue? Pretend it did not happen?
Recommend? Yes 2
No 1
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dustyroads
37 posts
Nov 17, 02:33
Report commentHaving read all the items about Hamilton Bardrainney Church being pulled down. A Catholic Church was also pulled down a few years ago in Greenock. Due to lack of Support. With a bit of luck, & support. Both Churches will be up & running again again in the next few years. Otherwise it may be a mosque. You do not see any Christian Church Being Built in any non Christian Country any where in the WORLD. The thing also is. I can say that in Scotland. You Imagine that being said in the arab world?? No Doubt This CHRISTMAS In Port Glasgow, it Wont be Saying Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year I t will be the same as Last Year. Some Piece Of Nonsense.Not To Upset, Who Ever Decides. He's Not A Christian. Get A Life Ya Bampots.
Recommend? Yes 1
No 3
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samfraegreenock
156 posts
Nov 17, 08:35
Report commentdustyroads - Er There are plenty of "christian" churches in what I suppose could be described as a " non-christian" country (whatever that really is)
Anyways here's a list of countries
Iran(not an arab country by the way) @ 600 churches
Bangladesh (not an arab country)- 600,000 christians of various flavours
Pakistan (not an arab country) - 100 plus churches
Algeria (arab country) 150,000+ christians
Iraq (arab)- around 800,000 christians
Lebanon (arab) - @40% of population are christian - plenty of churches
Syria (arab) - secular country with 10% of population christian - hundreds of churches
Palestine (arab)- @4% of population christian
Jordan (arab) - @ 400,000 christians
Bahrain (arab) - 9% of population christian - plenty of churches
There you go -did you mean christians in Moslem countries or just arab ones
So can you come up with any links, articles etc to firm up your "assertion" that "You do not see any Christian Church Being Built in any non Christian Country any where in the WORLD" - which is patently untrue
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thepeak
2 posts
Nov 17, 14:48
Report commentReligion is a wolf in sheeps clothing. 'Mon the aliens.
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007goldfinger
49 posts
Nov 18, 19:40
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