A SALTCOATS church congregation's future has been left in limbo - after worshippers voted against plans for a 'united' charge in the town.

The Church of Scotland had proposed uniting the congregations at four churches in Ardrossan and Saltcoats - St Cuthbert's, North Parish, Kirkgate and Park - with services held at the Kirkgate and Park church buildings.

But members of the congregation at St Cuthbert's, in Campbell Avenue, voted against the basis of the union.

The proposed union is part of a 'mission plan' drawn up the Church of Scotland's former Ardrossan Presbytery - which is now part of the Presbytery of South West Scotland.

The mission plan - and others like it across Scotland - was drawn up to address the problems of falling membership numbers, fewer ministers and the rising cost of maintaining buildings.

Under the Kirk's plans, North Parish and St Cuthbert's are due to close as places of worship on December 31.

However, it was understood that St Cuthbert's would be given a reprieve of closure until July 2024 so that a feasibility study can be considered to explore improving disability access at the church buildings which are to remain open.

Members of all four congregations voted on the 'basis of union', involving the formation of a new charge, 'Ardrossan and Saltcoats Church of Scotland', on Sunday, November 19.

Those who were able to vote were asked to 'approve' or 'not approve' of two aspects of the basis of union - one on the plans in general, and one on 'clause seven', which states that the Reverend Nigel Chikanya, currently minister at Ardrossan and Saltcoats Kirkgate, shall be the minister of the united charge.

The Kirk says it plans to appoint a second minister to the charge in due course.

Worshippers at Kirkgate unanimously approved of both measures, while those at North Parish gave the plans their backing by an overwhelming majority.

The congregation at Park Church voted 55-13 in favour of the basis of union, and also backed clause seven - but by a much tighter margin of 39 to 29.

But at St Cuthbert's, the congregation overwhelmingly decided they did 'not approve' of both the basis of union and of clause seven.

The St Cuthbert's vote does not mean the union will not go ahead, and the Kirk says the St Cuthbert's building will still close at the end of December.

But it does put the involvement of St Cuthbert's in the union in doubt.

A Church of Scotland spokesman explained: “The legacy Presbytery of Ardrossan Mission Plan provides a roadmap to the future of the local church against a backdrop of falling membership, fewer ministers and reduced resources.

“Difficult decisions around buildings no longer sustainable to maintain, both in terms of finance and human resources, must be taken to ensure that the church is fit for purpose to carry out its primary work – sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and serving people in our communities.

“Strong and effective mission, with a particular focus on supporting the most vulnerable people in society, is at the heart of what the Church is about, and this work is not solely dependent on buildings.

“The Presbytery of South West Scotland’s mission [lanning committee will ask the three congregations - Kirkgate, North and Park - which voted in favour of entering into a new union to confirm that they wish to proceed in due course.

“The future of the congregation of St Cuthbert’s will be considered carefully and prayerfully by the committee, and the building is due to close as a place of worship on December 31.

“We are aware of the close emotional ties which people have with their local church,and we share in the sadness felt when decisions are made to release church buildings, but we believe radical reform is necessary to allow us to flourish in the future."