Demolition day for a Kilsyth landmark

However, on Monday, that era came to an end as the 250,000 demolition of the external structure of the church began.

A behemoth of a cherry picker raised workers skywards to tear off the roof slates that once presided over many a happy occasion, and a few sad ones too.

Reverend Chris Van Staden thinks the demolition has had a positive effect on his congregation.

He said: "They are a really positive group of people and they have discovered while we have been meeting in Burngreen Library for the last few years what the essence of being a church is and that a church is not a building, it's a community."

The building is being knocked down as part of a renewal project which, it is hoped, will see a new facility built within two years.

The work was made necessary three years ago when it was discovered that the structure, on which construction was completed in 1885, was unsound and would cost too much to repair.

Fundraising is ongoing to pay for a new multi-purpose 'kit church' which will double as a community facility capable of hosting a wide variety of functions and events. Reverend Van Staden added: "It is of course sad to see it go - members have had parents and grandparents married there and children christened - so there are a lot of memories.

"But what we have discovered is that we have a great spirit within our church so there is no real sense of loss.

"The church has a long and positive history in Kilsyth and I'm hoping that, when people see things happening they will want to get involved and help raise funds."