THERE are many congregations throughout the country contemplating the threat or the reality of losing their churches in these straitened times.

Others appear to be spoilt for choice.

Following its creation in 2007, Govan and Linthouse Parish Church inherited three churches - Linthouse St Kenneth's, Govan Old and New Govan. New Govan is in near-derelict condition with extensive dry rot, wet rot, water ingress, differential settlement, subsidence and numerous other dilapidations. Despite this, an arbitration panel nominated it as the "principal place of worship" and the congregation, with the encouragement of Glasgow Presbytery, is now embarked on a refurbishment programme to make it "fit for purpose" at a projected cost of about £3 million.

Meanwhile, Govan Old and Linthouse St Kenneth's are available immediately at no cost and provide a full range of worship and ancillary facilities in walk-in condition. Given this embarrassment of riches it beggars belief that the church should feel the need to renovate New Govan at such enormous cost against the current backdrop of austerity measures, cutbacks, unions, linkages and closures intended to address its dire financial situation.

It may be that much of this exercise will be funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and others, but they will still need to find a massive amount of cash to complete the project. Furthermore, HLF funding is awarded on a competitive basis; refurbishment of New Govan will undoubtedly mean closure for another congregation somewhere.

The congregation has nothing to gain by rebuilding this decrepit pile; they already have more than most at their disposal and more than they would ever need.

Clearly the best available option is to pocket what little cash is left in the coffers and join forces with those developing Govan Old's role as a visitor centre of local, national and international significance. The case in favour is simple and compelling: no need for further capital expenditure, congregation and visitor centre would co-exist in perfect harmony and each would enhance the experience of the other under such a symbiotic arrangement.

Wisdom may yet prevail. In a remarkable U-turn, presbytery and general trustees recently withdrew an earlier undertaking to underwrite any shortfall in the cost of making the sanctuary wind and watertight. Could it be that they are finally coming to their senses and about to pull the plug on this profligacy before more good money is thrown after bad? Let's hope so.

Alistair MacDonald.

Flat 1/3,

4 Mansionhouse Road,

Paisley.