A WEST Linton church is “destroying 230 years of history” by removing 10 of its pews and refusing to give a viable reason for doing so, according to some members of its congregation.

A number of parishioners contacted the Peeblesshire News after a letter published in our 'your say' section, revealed that West Linton's St Andrew's Church was having eight to ten of its pews taken away - which are believed to date back to 1781.

However, all wished to remain anonymous as one explained: “Given the strength of feeling this subject is arousing amongst some of the parishioners I would like to send the letter under a pseudonym, as there are some unpleasant comments being made to people who are against the project.”

Another church-goer, who also asked not to be named, said that the Kirk Session was "very quick to silence anyone who disagreed with the proposal," at the AGM where the pew-removal project was announced.

He said: “It seems that the Kirk Session wishes to remove pews to create an area for people to have a cup of tea after the service, in which children can play during the service and where musical instruments can be installed.

“There seems to be no reason why this is absolutely necessary to the detriment of 230 years of irreplaceable, historical artefacts.

“At the AGM when the pew removal was brought up, the Minister, Rachel Dobie, who was a stand-in for the regular Minister Linda Dunbar, quickly quashed any prospect of a vote on the proposal stating that she did not like votes.

“The Kirk Session was very quick to silence anyone who disagreed with the proposal or who asked difficult but reasonable questions, but was happy to let anyone in support of the proposal speak freely.

“It should be stated that some members of the Kirk Session strongly disagree with the proposal, but their voice is not being listened to.

“It was announced that it was effectively a ‘done deal’ and that the pews were being removed.”

Although it is a Grade 2 listed building, the Church enjoys ‘ecclesiastic exemption’ from listed building consent (LBC) regulations, which means it can change the interior of the building without having to go through the normal planning procedures.

Instead, the church regulates its own planning issues through CARTA (The Committee on Church Art and Architecture).

Another church member said: "This is an unusual and beautifully decorated church and any alterations would lead to a permanent disfigurement of what for centuries has been a building of outstanding beauty and interest.

"Make no mistake, once removed the pews will never be replaced and the architectural balance of this historic church will be altered forever."

According to those attending the AGM, the Treasurer had stated that the church's accounts were in a "perilous state," and that the day-to-day running costs could barely be met from donations and collection takings. Further, the congregation was also asked for additional donations in 2016 to cover the costs of the work that will be carried out.

One source added: "There is a limit to the financial burden that any congregation is able to shoulder. How can the Kirk Session possibly believe that all of these projects can be substantially supported through personal donations at time when the church’s own accounts show that income from the congregation is already scarce?"

The hope is that this social area planned would make the church more inviting.

However, another objecter said: "St. Andrew's has two perfectly adequate church halls which provide suitable provision for all Congregational activities. Maybe the church wishes to increase attendance, but taking the Kirk Session’s view that ‘it knows best’ and ignoring the opinions of potential future members of the church congregation is hardly likely to increase the church’s popularity."

Peeblesshire News:

Inside the historical St Andrews Church

When asked for a response, stand-in Minister Rachel Dobie refused to comment.

However, Minister Linda Dunbar said: “The letter published in the Peeblesshire was not reflective of the meeting on the day.

“There have been various consultations about this project over the past year. It was first brought up at the 2015 AGM. People have had the chance to comment for that time and that is sufficient time to give them the chance to voice their concerns.

“I have made two presentations at full church meetings so for people to say the project hasn't been explained to them is not true.

“We have went through all the necessary procedures and consulted all the appropriate bodies. CARTA , who's decision it is, conducted a site visit and have been shown all the letters of complaint – we haven't kept any of that back - and they decided that on balance it would be a good enhancement of the building.

“It's also in the interest of safety because at the moment there are a few steps up to where we serve the tea and a few people have tripped and fallen. We would like to open the church up to have a little social area to serve tea and coffee, or where the children can have their Sunday school.

"It's a positive change.

“And, the money is there to fund the project, the project wouldn't have been approved if the money wasn't there, but I don't know the exact cost of the project.