An Aberdeen church congregation could be dissolved after its members rejected a proposal to join another church in the city.
Members of Garthdee Parish Church have voted 19 to 12 against plans to merge with Mannofield Church, a 20-minute walk away.
The Kirk Session and congregation at Mannofield Church meanwhile voted in favour of a union by 121 votes to 14.
Following the decision, the Presbytery of Aberdeen now plans to bring forward a basis of dissolution motion in February.
That means the Garthdee congregation could be dissolved, with all assets transferred to the general trustees of the Church of Scotland.
Plans had previously been put forward to demolish the church at Ramsay Gardens in Garthdee and sell the land for development – with the inclusion of a new church building in its place.
The Church of Scotland previously insisted the building is in need of hundreds of thousands of pounds of urgent repairs.
Last night Rev Scott Rennie, said on behalf of the Presbytery of Aberdeen’s planning and deployment committee, that the result of the vote was “deeply regrettable”.
He said: “We are very disappointed at the rejection of a new form of physical presence for the kirk in the parish of Garthdee, which would also have included a strong team of staff.
“It is deeply regrettable.
“The Church of Scotland maintains its commitment to all the people of Aberdeen.
“Unfortunately, the current situation at Garthdee is simply unsustainable and difficult decisions about the future can no longer be avoided.”
Paul O’Connor, from Garthdee Community Council, said the current Garthdee Parish Church building should be retained as an asset for local residents.
He said: “It’s a complete fiasco.
“They’re saying they could build a brand new, small church outreach building on the site, but not afford the upkeep and repairs of perfectly suitable building that already exists. It goes against all logic.
“It is a complete injustice if they were to knock that building down.”
