Parishioners at one of Dundee’s most famous churches have been left “stunned and devastated” by the news that it is to close.
Many of those who attended Sunday’s masses at St Francis’ Roman Catholic Church on Tullideph Road better known as the Friary were reduced to tears as the announcement was made by Bishop Vincent Logan.
Bishop Logan, head of the diocese of Dunkeld, said a recent survey revealed an extensive amount of work needed to be carried out on the church and its adjoining house and hall, at huge cost, to ensure their survival.
As the building is not owned by the diocese, it was decided that this was not a financially viable option.
Bishop Logan told the congregation it had been a “very, very difficult decision to make.”
“The diocese does not own any part of the complex and I could not justify spending a vast amount of money on a property we do not own,” he said.
“The trustees realise that this decision is very unexpected but we were unaware of the extent of the condition of the property until the diocesan surveyors very recently conducted a full and detailed survey.
“I am only too aware of the loyalty and commitment which priests and people, for generations, have given to the parish of St Francis and the important place it has had in their lives.
“They will now move to neighbouring parishes and I know that the parishioners of St Francis will be made most welcome wherever they go.”
The parish has played an important part in Dundonian life since it was established in the 1930s.
As well as being a place of worship for the local Catholic community, its hall has hosted many social and fund-raising events.
Under the leadership of Father Eugene O’Sullivan, it quickly became the heart of the city’s Irish student community in the 1990s.
Today it is home to Father Krzysztof Frost, who provides spiritual guidance to the city’s Polish population.
He will move to St Joseph’s parish on Blackness Road.
Audrey Cox and Carolyn Longmuir have provided music for the Sunday evening mass for over 25 years and last night admitted to being very emotional when the news was broken.
“We were stunned and devastated when we heard,” Carolyn said.
“We understand why the decision was taken, but we’re really sad. We’re such a close community and it’s almost like a family being split up.”
Audrey said, “I’ve been coming to this mass for years and had my daughter baptised here.
“One thing we’ll miss doing is the Christmas liturgy, which was a big family event.”
Robert Barr (73), who has been a member of the parish for almost 18 years and raised thousands of pounds for the poor in Romania, said he would also miss the “sense of community.”
“Quite a few people here have been really supportive of me when I was fund-raising,” he added.
“I come here every morning and I’ll now have to find another parish. I guess it’s just one of these things.”
Parishioners have been advised to attend one of four neighbouring churches St Mary’s in Lochee, St Ninian’s in Menzieshill, St Joseph’s in the west end or St Peter and St Paul’s on Byron Street-depending on where they live.
The last masses in the parish will take place on Sunday, August 15, which is the feast of the Assumption, the reception of the Virgin Mary into heaven.