A public meeting has been organised to discuss how an Aberdeen church, threatened with closure, could be saved.
The presbytery of Garthdee Parish Church is mulling over the prospect of selling the building on Ramsay Gardens.
It is thought the decision has arisen as a result of a dwindling congregation and high maintenance costs.
One option being considered is to demolish the building and sell the land for housing, but with a smaller church premises for outreach and community use built in its place.
However, Garthdee Community Council has launched a campaign to save the site.
It is preparing to send letters to every resident in the area imploring them to attend a public meeting on August 21 and voice their opinions.
Chairman Paul O’Connor said: “I am an atheist, but I see the goodness in those who do believe and the community benefits it brings.
“A lot of people have been married there and buried there. There’s a lot of history there.
“It’s a lovely building and it has potential, they just need to give it a chance to succeed.”
He added: “At the end of the day, this shouldn’t just be about the church or its congregation or the presbytery.
“It should be about the entire community.
“If the public themselves don’t want to save it, then at least they’ve been given the option.”
The church’s locum minister Flora Munro has confirmed she is actively seeking an alternative to knocking down the building and is open to ideas from the community on how best to achieve this.
Garthdee Parish Church presbytery clerk John Ferguson said: “I can confirm that Presbytery is exploring the option of selling the Garthdee site, possibly to a housing association, and building smaller premises on the site which would be used as a base for mission and outreach and community use in Garthdee.
“This plan is still in the early stages and subject to approvals from the Kirk Session, congregation, presbytery and the Church of Scotland Ministries Council.
“So it still has a long way to go.
“Garthdee as a congregation is sadly no longer sustainable in its present state. I would stress that our commitment to the community of Garthdee remains strong.”
Ward councillor Ian Yuill said: “I hope that members of the congregation and wider public will have their say about the future of this local church, which they clearly value.
“Ultimately the future of it is a matter for the congregation and Church of Scotland.
“I would be disappointed if Garthdee lost a local resource like the church and its hall which are important parts of the community.”
