The future of the St Francis Centre in Gorbals is developing into an unholy row.

If it reverts to being a place of worship, the community will be left without a public venue for meetings and events.

Discussions last year between Glasgow City Council, who own the ‘B’ listed landmark church designed by Pugin and Pugin, and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese about the possibility of the building being used as a church again, ended in the Archdiocese rejecting the idea. But that was not the last ‘amen.’

A spokesman for the Council told the LOCAL NEWS this month, ‘Discussions are ongoing. We are confident we will reach an agreement that ensures the future of the building. It is anticipated that it will return to its former use as a place of worship once satisfactory re-provisioning arrangements have been made for community groups and that is already underway.’

The Archdiocese spokesperson explained, ‘We have been asked by the Council to reconsider our decision not to proceed with the restoration of St Francis as a place of worship and have agreed to do so. Our first priority is to find a solution that is in the best interests of the parishioners of the Gorbals.’ He said discussions were not at a stage where the Archdiocese was able to present a package of proposals to the Parish. ‘Until that package is prepared and presented to the Parish, no commitment can be made.’

Built in 1871 and vacated in 1991 by the Franciscan order whose members take a vow of poverty, the repair and maintenance of the massive structure was too much for the small congregation. Glasgow City Council purchased it for £1 and in partnership with Historic Scotland converted it into a public venue at a cost of £1.3million. It was re-opened as a public facility venue by Sir Jimmy Savile in July 1998.

The Franciscans are now the parish priests based in Blessed John Duns Scotus church at Ballater Street. But the interior of that sanctuary was badly damaged two years ago by a fire and remains unusable still. The congregation worships in the church hall. A letter from the Parish Council requesting an urgent meeting with the Archbishop regarding the future of the Blessed John Duns Scotus church and of the Parish was sent at the beginning of February but no one was available to say what response had been received.

The St Francis Centre has been used by local groups and organisations as it is one of the few meeting places or function spaces in Gorbals. With the Duns Scotus hall being unavailable as a public venue, the situation has been exacerbated.

Many groups have found new accommodation for their regular activities rather than wander in the wilderness. Gorbals Youth and Community Theatre (GYCT), with more than 150 young people and adults using St Francis for rehearsals, performances and for storage of their considerable wardrobe, tiered seating and equipment, has move to Queen’s Park Church Centre.  Said CYCT manager Isobel Barret, ‘There was never enough community consultation over the projected plans for St Francis.’

Gorbals Community Forum Chair, Patricia Ingram, commented, ‘I think it is awful that we don’t have a proper community facility. I sit on Hutchesontown Community Council and we use St Francis for our meetings. After the March meeting we don’t know where we’ll go and we haven’t been offered anywhere else.’

At a public meeting in August last year Gorbals-born businessman Willie Haughey promised, personally, to ensure the area had a modern community centre should St Francis revert to being a church.

The people involved in the decision making processes in this complicated local situation will need the patience of St Francis to sort it out but they should remember that St Francis actually communicated with the creatures in his daily world.