A UNITED PARISH
While we are now part of the Presbytery of South West, the legacy Presbytery of Ardrossan produced a mission plan proposing one united charge covering Cumbrae, Fairlie and Largs, supported by two Ministers of Word and Sacrament.
As a result, the following five congregations formally united on 1 October 2023:
Largs St Columba’s Parish Church
Largs Clark Memorial Church
Largs St John’s
The new parish is known as Cumbrae, Fairlie and Largs Parish Church of Scotland.
Worship now takes place every Sunday morning in our three communities of Cumbrae, Fairlie and Largs, reflecting our commitment to glorify God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and serve the whole parish.
We are currently preparing short histories of each of the five churches, which will be added to this website in due course.
WHY DID THE UNION TAKE PLACE?
Over many decades, membership of the Church of Scotland — like most churches across Scotland — has gradually declined. As church membership reduced, so too did income, while at the same time fewer people entered training for ministry. Together, these long-term trends meant that the number of separate congregations and buildings could no longer be sustained.
From around 2010, Ardrossan Presbytery recognised these challenges and encouraged congregations to work more closely together through either Unions or Linkages, usually when a minister retired.
Union: congregations legally merge into one parish, with one Kirk Session and usually fewer buildings.
Linkage: congregations remain separate parishes but share ministry.
As part of this process:
Fairlie Parish Church and Largs St Columba’s entered a linkage in March 2015;
Cumbrae Parish Church and Largs St John’s entered a linkage in 2016.
Despite these steps, pressures on ministry and finances continued. In May 2021, the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland passed the PRESBYTERY MISSION PLAN ACT, requiring every presbytery to produce a Mission Plan to reshape ministries and rethink buildings by the end of 2022.
This marked a move from informal, local decision-making to a clear, structured and nationwide process. The Church of Scotland document 'Well equipped spaces in the right places' states that: Worship spaces need to be fit for purpose — well-equipped and located where they can best serve mission. This statement recognises that holding on to historic buildings is not always the best way to fulfil the Church’s calling, and may limit its ability to follow Jesus faithfully in today’s world.
While God remains the same, Church Change can be difficult. It can bring uncertainty, concern and, at times, grief — particularly where church buildings are involved. These decisions have not been easy, but they have been taken prayerfully and with care.
One of the difficult decisions was to sell St Columba's Church. The General Trustees were instructed to sell the building on behalf of the congregation and, in February 2026, a bid was accepted.
Members across the parish are working hard to make this union flourish. As we seek to follow Jesus, with God’s guidance, we believe Cumbrae, Fairlie and Largs Parish Church can become a visible sign of hope, faith and service within our communities.
THE IMPACT OF COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic led to restrictions on church buildings between March 2020 and August 2021. During this time, all our congregations embraced online worship, and many thousands of people joined services through livestreaming. As a result, all churches within the parish now have permanent streaming facilities, which continue to be used for most services.
Sadly, some members have not been able to return to in-person worship. Many are elderly or no longer able to travel but some have remained part of our congregation through joining regularly online. They remain remembered, valued and held in prayer. Others, however, have been called home, and for them we give God thanks.
SIGNS OF HOPE
Strengthened by the Holy Spirit, we are encouraged by our new mission initiatives across the parish, together with our regular Bible Study, Prayer Groups, Social engagement and school chaplaincy.
Church attendance is also showing signs of recovery: although post-pandemic, and in the early stages of our union, there was a reduction in those coming to worship, today we are delighted to recognise that God is good and that there has been an increase in the numbers of younger families coming to worship in Largs, through our new Sunday morning gathering of Kingdom Kids. This change is also reflected through our parish-wide monthly Saturday morning gatherings of God’s Families.
Sunday morning worship in all worship spaces is well attended and has become the spiritual home for a few new people from within and outwith our parish boundaries.
Wider developments across the UK also give the church hope for the future.
Bible engagement is increasing:
UK Bible sales reached a record £6.3 million in 2025;
Sales volumes have increased by over 100% since 2019;
There was a 27–30% rise in both sales and revenue between 2024 and 2025 alone.
This growth is widely seen as part of a renewed interest in spirituality and Christian faith, particularly among younger people. Social uncertainty, post-pandemic reflection and concern for mental wellbeing are all thought to be contributing factors. Established denominations, such as the Church of England, report modest post-pandemic growth.
Surveys indicate significant increases in churchgoing among younger adults in certain traditions. It is our Mission, as a new united parish, to continue to follow Christ and share His Good News, helping people of ages and abilities to explore faith and discover God’s purpose for their lives.
February 2026