ANSWERS are being demanded as to why an ‘iconic’ Lockerbie church was closed and has been allowed to fall into disrepair.
Furious community councillors, above, this week expressed sadness and disgust at the state of the Dryfesdale Church in the middle of the town.
Raising the matter at Tuesday night’s meeting, group treasurer Roger Claymore described it as a “crying shame”.
He said: “The church looks derelict. The Church of Scotland say the building is in a dangerous condition yet they are just leaving it and apparently water is getting in and it’s getting worse and worse.
“They say it’s up for sale but who’s going to buy it when it looks like that? Why is the Church of Scotland, allowing this to happen?”
He added: “The churchyard is disgraceful too and anyone coming in and seeing it will be shocked. I don’t know what visitors to the town must be thinking when they see an overgrown garden of remembrance.
“What can we do about it? It needs to be open and operational again.”
Agreeing, acting chairman Ian McLatchie said: “It’s embarrassing and hurtful actually that it has been closed and now looks like that.
“And what’s going to happen to all the things from inside it, like the memorial plaques and war memorials?”
And member Lucie Dudgeon said: “It should never have been allowed to close and to deteriorate like that.”
Members of the public in attendance also agreed with Hayley Nicholson, of Lockerbie Civic Pride, saying: “How can they let that happen with its connections to the Lockerbie air disaster. It was one of the main places for the American families to come
to. It should have been totally looked after.”
Continuing Roger added: “I am actually frightened of this church falling further into disrepair, or even falling down.
“You can see what a mess the Blue Bell has become. We don’t need another eyesore in the town centre, or one at either end of the High Street.
“Unless it’s sorted, the next thing is it will be vandalised or torched.”
Following a robust discussion, Annandale North Cllr Carolyne Wilson agreed to check the graveyard ownership and the community council decided to ask a Church of Scotland representative to come to their next meeting to discuss the issue.
They are also inviting comments from members of the public via their Facebook page.
Meanwhile, a Church of Scotland spokesman yesterday told this paper: “Dryfesdale Parish Church in Lockerbie was closed as a place of worship in January 2023 and the Presbytery of the South West approved the release of the building for sale in February this year.
“This is in the process of being taken forward and the congregation worships in the former church hall across the road, a modern space and better equipped for its needs.
“The General Trustees of the Church of Scotland take any concerns about health and safety breaches around buildings seriously and Dryfesdale Parish Church is currently subject to a weekly inspection by the local duty holders.
“The General Trustee’s Safe Buildings team plan to speak with the local duty holders and arrange for a safety visit early next week to ensure that the church building remains safe and secure until it is put up for sale on the open market and sold.”
He pointed out the surrounding cemetery remains the responsibility of the local authority.
Explaining further the background to the closure, the spokesman said:
“The 2021 General Assembly instructed presbyteries to complete a Mission Plan as part of a comprehensive programme of reforms to equip the Church for the challenges of Christian mission in the coming years.
“The Church owns thousands of properties, far more than required to achieve our primary mission of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ and serving our local communities.
“Having fewer congregational buildings will reduce pressure on congregational finances, freeing up funds and general income for other Church missional activities and a more sustainable situation.
“We believe radical reform is necessary to address the challenges of falling minister numbers, a decline in membership and a reduction in income both nationally and locally.”
