When Mount Zion Church opened in 1888, the North British Daily Mail reported:

"The event was rightly regarded by Mr. Quarrier ... as one of great importance in the history of the beneficent work to which he has devoted all his means, his time, his great organising power and his marvellous faith."

On Sunday June 13th 2003, a thanksgiving service was held by Quarriers Homes to serve as the official closure of the church (although the normal Sunday services still continue). We feel the closure of the Mount Zion Church is a failure on the part of the charity's modern management. Instead they should re-capture the vision of their founder and preserve a unique part of Scotland's heritage for future generations.

We believe there is a way forward to keep Mount Zion open as a place of worship and as a focal point for the new community which continues to emerge here.

QUARRIERS SAY:
The building needs £500,000 of repairs over the next 10 years.
 FACT: Quarriers has only spent on average £4,000 per year in recent years.
Despite this, an independent structural survey has shown the building is in good condition and only requires routine maintenance.
QUARRIERS SAY:
The charity can't afford the upkeep of the church.
 FACT: Mount Zion is eligible for help from a new Heritage Lottery Fund (Repair Grants for Places of Worship). Churches in Paisley and Greenock have already received substantial sums.
QUARRIERS SAY:
They are pressing ahead with their plan to sell up to a developer.
 FACT: Historic Scotland has given the church a Category B listing because of the building’s history and architectural features. We presented a detailed business plan to Quarriers’ management showing a variety of ways in which the church could generate income so it would not be a financial burden on the charity.

If you oppose the plan to close the church and turn it into a block of flats, and support the campaign to Save Mount Zion, we ask you to contact one of the committee to get a badge to wear at Sunday's service as a silent protest.

For further information about the committee click here.

To view our business plan click here.