THREE churches in Ardrossan and Saltcoats have agreed to form a united charge.

It comes after nearly two years of uncertainty surrounding the future of Church of Scotland congregations in the area.

It was back in August 2022 that plans to close a number of the organisations buildings across the Three Towns were revealed as part of wholesale changes across the west of Scotland.

In Ardrossan and Saltcoats, the presbytery plan involved the closure of North Parish and St Cuthbert's churches, which would form a united congregation with Kirkgate and Park which were to remain open and in operation.

North Parish Church officially closed in November last year however, final details of the 'basis of union' between the four groups of parishioners later proved to be a stumbling block.

First, the kirk session from St Cuthbert's rejected initial plans surrounding the merger, with Park church following suit at the end of last year.

READ MORE: St Cuthbert's Church votes against union plans

Despite St Cuthbert's not accepting the plans, they were informed their church building would still be closed as planned by July this year.

However, when Park church added their disapproval, it forced the Church of Scotland into a rethink.

READ MORE: Park Church reject Church of Scotland union plans

New proposals for the basis of union were drawn up - to only involved the merger of Park, North Parish and St Cuthbert's congregations. Kirkgate will remain open as it presently is under the plans.

The merger details were brought before the remaining three kirk session on Sunday, May 12, and agreed unanimously.

This basis of union will see the three congregations merge with Park Church maintained as the place of worship. St Cuthbert's and North Parish buildings will be sold, let or otherwise disposed of at a later date.

A name was also agreed with the new united charge to be called the Ardrossan Parish Church.

A minister is to be appointed for the congregations with all three charges currently vacant.

The current manse of St Cuthbert’s, in Kennedy Road Saltcoats, is to be used - for now - as the manse of the new church.

While the kirk sessions have voted on the basis of union already, the next step for each church is to allow whole congregations to vote on this also. It is hoped this will take place by the end of May or, at the latest, June 2 at a Sunday morning worship.

If the vote by the congregations is positive, the Church of Scotland presbytery planning committee are intending to take it to their meeting in June for final approval. 

The union of the three churches would then begin on July 1 when they would officially become Ardrossan Parish Church.