North Lanarkshire’s Provost attended the consecration of the Syro-Malabar community’s new church in Craigneuk. The former Craigneuk & Belhaven Church of Scotland building on Craigneuk Street was purchased by the Syro Malabar Catholic community as their permanent church within the Motherwell Diocese.
Consecration ceremony
Provost Kenneth Duffy said: “Congratulations to everyone involved, and best wishes to the congregation as they begin this new chapter in the heart of Craigneuk.”
Writing on social media, Motherwell Diocese posted: “The Syro Malabar community trace their origin back to the apostle Thomas who spread the Gospel in India. “They have been present in our diocese for over 25 years and used a number of diocesan churches over that time - St Bride’s Cambuslang, St Cuthbert’s Burnbank, St John Ogilvie Blantyre and St Anthony’s Rutherglen. “Part of the Catholic Church, they are in full communion with Rome and acknowledge the Holy Father’s primacy over the Universal Church.”
Declining membership in Church of Scotland
Craigneuk & Belhaven Church was put on the market in November with an asking price of just £125,000. The Church of Scotland is closing hundreds of its churches due to declining membership and financial pressure, a process accelerated by the pandemic.
A 2023 report suggested around 30% of churches, or between 350 and 400 buildings, could be closed in the coming years. According to 2021 numbers, the church has 283,600 members - down from a peak of 1.3 million in the late 1950s. About 60,000 worship in person on a Sunday - down from 88,000 pre-Covid.
