HELENSBURGH Parish Church marked the opening of its new hall on Saturday with a colourful open day and ribbon-cutting ceremony.

An estimated 1,500 visitors attended the opening of the hall, which was packed with more than 30 stalls celebrating the church’s involvement within the community.

The community space boasts a suite of newly renovated halls to host services and various local groups.

Rev David Young, minister, said: “Saturday was a fantastic opportunity for the Church of Scotland in Helensburgh to shine.

"We are the first super-parish in Scotland. We opened a fantastic complex which will serve our many and varied organisations and which will act as a bridge between the church and the community. We are open for business, inclusive, friendly and all are welcome.”

Two ribbons were cut at the ceremony by the Very Reverend John Chalmers. One to signify the welcoming of the current congregation into the new hall and another to signify the welcoming of the wider community into the church.

Rev Chalmers joined Rev Young to welcome people into the new hall which was dedicated at the end of January by Dr Iain Galbraith, Moderator of the Presbytery of Dumbarton.

Flossie Kent, church fundraiser, said: “It was wonderful to have a look around the new hall on Saturday and the whole place was buzzing. The church was completely full." The stalls were only manned until five o’clock and we thought it would die down a bit, but people were still flooding in at 4.30pm.”

Members of the parish are keen to welcome people from outside the congregation into the church, both to use as a recreational space and to learn more about Christianity should they so wish.

Flossie added: “The church is available as a place for people to come and enjoy. We want it to be a place for everyone.”

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, members of the public were given a tour around the revamped space and its exhibits.

Rev Chalmers gave a Thanksgiving Ceremony to the assembled crowd and visitors were treated to performances from the Helensburgh Parish Church during the service.

There were hourly operatic performances by two singers from the Scottish Opera, led by musical director Derek Clark.

Visitors also enjoyed tea and coffee, as well as a chance to explore the hall, which included a display board mapping the journey of what were five previous congregations into one.

The venture embraces the vision of the Helensburgh Parish Church – a union of the three Church of Scotland congregations in the town – to offer space to people of all ages.

The space is currently home to the local toddler group, knitting group and creative writing club as well as hosting the girls and boys brigade.

It also acts as a child contact centre for parents with limited access to their children, providing a safe meeting space for fathers and mothers.

Flossie said: “We hope that people felt welcomed into the church on Saturday and that the wider community can use it as a shared space.

“Everyone has been waiting a long time for the new hall to be opened. It was definitely worth the wait.”

Councillor Vivien Dance said the new halls are “a tremendous asset for the congregation and the community”.

She added: “The building is so impressive and on Saturday the huge crowds of visitors were delighted to see not only the modern facilities but all the groups who are already taking advantage of them – it was a wonderful day of celebration and pride and justifiably so.

“This is a great success story and I am sure it will prove to a vibrant community hub for many years to come, well done Helensburgh Parish Church.”

Cllr James Robb added: “It was on Sunday morning that the new energy was most apparent as more tables and chairs had to be hurriedly put out to accommodate all those joining in the informal Easy Worship in the new hall.

“With a young and energetic new minister, fantastic facilities and a large and active congregation the future looks bright for the church.”