Almost 100 people gathered outside one of Barrhead’s oldest churches to hear the last service there.

South and Levern Church in Main Street, which was built in 1846, finally closed its doors last week.

The congregation had merged with Arthurlie Church in Ralston Road in 2013 to form St Andrew’s and no services have been held there since.

However, for the last eight years the listed building had been used by East Renfrewshire Foodbank and a scout and guides group.

All three organisations have now located to new premises bringing the curtain down on 175 years of history.

St Andrew’s new minister the Rev Tim Mineard took the moving 30 minute worship last Sunday morning which was attended by people of all ages.

He told the Barrhead News:”This was a final farewell service to a fantastic old church.

“East Renfrewshire Foodbank moved last year to Bank Street. The guides and scouts will be moving to our new community hall behind St Andrew’s Church.

“Unfortunately we no longer have a need for the building and it will be going up for sale in the next few weeks.”

The Rev Mineard says the farewell service had to be held outdoors because the Victorian church is no longer suitable for worship.

He added:”It was about providing people with a chance to say their last goodbyes and to reminisce.

“It certainly brought back a lot of memories for many people.

“It is one of the oldest buildings in the town and has a long history.

“Between 60 and 70 people turned up for the service which is very encouraging

“Some had returned to Barrhead specially for the service because they had fond memories of the church.

“Our scout leader Ken Campbell, when he spoke, estimated there had been more than 10,000 scouts through the doors over the years.”

One of South and Levern’s most famous ministers was the Rev Bob Hetherington, who was blind and served there in the 1970’s and 80’s.

Mr Mineard, who started at St Andrew’s last September, came from Dundee having worked there in the voluntary sector for 13-14 years before becoming a minister. It is his first charge.

St Andrews, which is in Ralston Road, currently has a congregation of 400 members and attendances of around 100 a week. Services are also broadcast online.

The church’s community hall was completed earlier this year at a cost of more than £700,000. It consists of a main hall, fully-equipped kitchen and toilets with disabled access.