Edinburgh Church Faces Closure Due to Financial Struggles After Easter

Clermiston’s church may close after Easter. It’s St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. A letter went to church members explaining future service options. The church can no longer afford upkeep, and they want to sell the buildings owned.

A meeting will discuss the future after the service on February 16, 2025, starting at 12:30 PM. Two options exist for the church.

One choice is to dissolve the church. The other is to join St Anne’s Parish Church. Dissolving means selling the buildings, and the money goes to church funds.

Neighboring parishes get the area, and members can join other churches. A union means joining St Anne’s, where their minister is Jamie Griggs.

Elders from both churches will serve, and the united church would meet at St Anne’s. The Clermiston building would be sold, and a mission project could focus on Clermiston.

Also, a new role could serve the area; however, St Anne’s and the Presbytery must agree.

The church needs the congregation’s support, and they say a solution is needed quickly. They warned the church will close if unfunded. A local person is sad about the possible closure but not surprised due to low attendance.

They said it’s a shame to lose the church, as parts of it are very old buildings. They recall playing there as a child and booked an event there recently, remembering it as affordable and welcoming.

Church members said numbers keep declining, noting that people complain but don’t attend. They hope the building stays open to the public, fearing it will become housing otherwise.

Communities need places to gather, they say, mentioning food banks and celebrations. If you don’t use it, you lose it, they worry.