Study launched Into Use Of Govan Old Parish

A £31,000 study has been launched to find a new use for Govan Old Parish after the Church of Scotland's decision to merge three local congregations.

The study will determine a new use for oldest Christian settlement on the River Clyde; possible uses include a museum, visitor centre and performance venue.

At the site of the church there are over 31 early medieval sculptures and a burial ground dating back to the 5th Century.


The study is being funded by the Architectural Heritage Fund, the General Trustees of the Church of Scotland, the Govan congregation and local economic development agency Govan Workspace.

Govan Workspace Managing director, Pat Cassidy, said the agency's overriding concern is that the church and its early medieval sculpture should survive as an entity in Govan.

Mr Cassidy said the challenge is to come up with a financially viable proposal "in these days of ever-dwindling public finances."

The MD has said all plans should include dedicated space for occasional worship to honour the 1,500 year-old tradition of Christian worship on the site.

(GK/JM)