Church has home prayers answered

The building was donated by the Assembly of Christian Brethren

A homeless congregation in Glasgow has had its prayers answered after being given a free church building worth an estimated £500,000.

Thornwood Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) used a school in Patrick for services since forming in 2000.

Now it has been gifted a hall in nearby Knightswood after it became surplus to the Assembly of Christian Brethren.

Their Brethren Gospel Hall has pews for 200 people. It also comes with a kitchen and sound system.

The Brethren decided to offload the building after their own numbers began to dwindle and their pastor fell ill.

They searched for an evangelistic congregation as they were determined not to let the red sandstone building fall derelict or be sold as a nightclub.

I am over the moon about it. It is just great. The building is so comfortable, well maintained and so convenient Rev William Macleod

The Brethren's quest resulted in a phone call to Rev William Macleod who ministers over the 50-strong Thornwood flock.

He said: "I could hardly believe it. It must be worth about £ 500,000.

"We could never have afforded such a suitable building. I have never heard of any other example like this."

The Thornwood congregation is made up of mostly exiled worshippers from Skye and Lewis.

Rev Mr Macleod said: "Since coming to Glasgow from Skye over two years I looked for a more suitable building than the school.

"I was really getting anywhere and we just settled down and made do with what we had.

"Then about a month ago I got a phone call asking "do you want a church?""

"I am over the moon about it. It is just great. The building is so comfortable, well maintained and so convenient."

The Free Church (Continuing) split from the Free Church of Scotland after a lengthy row in 2000 over a church theologian.