MEMBERS OF a St Andrews congregation who fear they will lose their church have been left distraught by a decision of the Commission of Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

The assembly upheld the proposals of St Andrews Presbytery that Martyrs Church and Hope Park Church should be united despite an appeal by two elders from Martyrs.

One member of the Martyrs Church congregation told the Courier that some people had been in tears when they heard that the appeal had been dismissed by a vote of 40 to 33.

He called for a review of the decision, claiming that the merger would scatter the congregation.

Martyrs Church has been without a permanent minister for three years and the source—who did not wish to be named—said members were certain that their church would be disposed of in favour of Hope Park Church.

A Kirk spokesman told The Courier earlier that arrangements for the merger were yet to be decided and that there were no plans at present for closure of either church.

However, the source said, “People are very disturbed and are in a state of tears. They fear the church will be closed.

“This has been the church of their fathers and grandfathers and now it could be taken away from them and they might be forced to go to another church.”

St Andrews Presbytery decided to unite the two churches last summer, however, the decision met with some resistance.

There was also a call for a wider review of St Andrews churches to be conducted but this appeal was also dismissed by the Commission of Assembly.

There is no right of appeal against its judgments.

However, the Martyrs source said, “This needs to be investigated.

“Some of the assembly members have never even been to St Andrews and they don’t know the history of the churches.

St Andrews Presbytery’s business committee is to meet on March 26 and the union will be on the agenda.

The union also involves the linking of Boarhills and Dunino, presently linked with Martyrs, with Holy Trinity Church.