THE KIRK where one of the world’s most eminent scientists is buried looks set to become a community hall.
Members are increasingly resigned to the view that Parton church’s days as a place of worship are numbered.
The building needs £25,000 spent on upgrading work and a new directive from the Church of Scotland has put added pressure on the community.
Parton Kirk is the burial place of James Clerk Maxwell, the physicist and mathematician whose work in the field of electromagnetics paved the way for Einstein. In fact, Einstein kept a photograph of Clerk Maxwell on the wall of his office.
And in a poll of physicists conducted at the Millennium he was voted the third most important, ever behind Isaac Newton and Einstein.
The grave is “very much on our minds” according to Eddie Yates who chairs Parton community council. “There is a possibility that a small area could be turned into a museum marking his life, achievements and the fact he is buried there,” he said.
Mr Yates said there was an “underlying acceptance” the building’s days as a kirk are numbered.
A special working group was set up almost two years ago after it became apparent that new doors and windows were needed along with painting and guttering work.
Now the Presbytery of Dumfries and Kirkcudbright has announced that all Kirk Sessions are to prepare a “vision for the future” of their churches.
Paul Hodson, a member of the church board and working group, said: “We were told at a meeting that every church in Dumfries and Galloway is to be classed as a category D building. That’s one up from the category that means immediate closure.
“This has just put added pressure on us. The feeling of the group was that whatever we put forward the Presbytery would not be interested in keeping the church. They seem to be in crisis. Maybe they should just be saying that.”
However, the Rev Gordon Savage, clerk to the Presbytery, said no decision about D categorisation had been taken.
“It has been mooted but no more than that,” he said.
“All kirk session are being asked to produce a report setting out plans for the future.
“That is happening right across the country.”
Mr Yates added: “I suppose, in a way, that’s what we are doing.
“The community council has looked at the situation from several angles. We acquired a grant for a feasibility study from the Big Lottery.
“We should have the final draught in about three or four weeks’ time and after that there will be an open meeting called.
“The community itself will have to make the decision about the future of the kirk.”
Mr Yates said the focus was on the commercial side and business plans are being prepared.
A community hall is increasingly emerging as front runner.
Mr Hodson added: “No-one wants to see the Kirk close and the community will decide the future.
“The decline in village life seems set to accelerate through the closure of first schools, then shops and now seemingly church buildings on a wide scale.”
Parton Kirk dates from 1834 and was designed by noted local architect Walter Newall. It sits alongside the earlier church which dates from the 1500s.
