Arrochar Parish Church The Story So Far
		From the Lennox Herald of 13th. July, 2001: Rev Dane Sherrard tells of chance events that drew him to Arrochar Church Life does work in mysterious and wonderful ways! by GRAHAM CRAWFORD Many people can point to apparent coincidences or chance meetings that prove to be life-changing moments for them. Dane Sherrard can take his pick. For there are a number of random events - and one is particularly intriguing - which led to him becoming minister at Arrochar and Luss parish churches two and a half years ago. Was it his wife's suggestion in the summer of 1988 that he would enjoy a visit to a boat museum in Inverary where one of the vessels had a strong family connection? IMPULSE Or was it the impulse, as they drove through Arrochar en route, to stop and have a look around the striking-looking church? Or was it the chance meeting with an elderly lady walking a white Scottie dog? A woman who was fully versed in the circumstances surrounding the church, yet has remained unidentified ever since. Dane, who at the time was minister at Cadder Parish Church in Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow, can now laugh and wonder if she actually existed. He told the Lennox Herald of the day that changed his life: "Rachel and I stopped at the church because from the road it looked quite distinguished." "When we got closer, we discovered it was almost derelict." "We peered through the windows and saw that there was a nice room at the back, set out for about 15 folk and clearly still in use." "It was then that this wee lady, aged around 70, and walking a white Scottie dog, appeared at our side and informed us that the church was falling down." "I asked her who the minister was and she said there wasn't one and that the church had been unable to attract one." "As we walked back to the car, Rachel turned to me and said,'We'll be here by Christmas.' She was right. I was inducted on December 9th., 1998." "I have never met that old lady again. I have asked around, describing her, but no one can think who it could be. It's all a bit of a mystery." DESTINED However it came about, events since that day trip to Inverary suggest that the Reverend Dane Sherrard, now 55, was destined to take charge of the Arrochar and Luss churches which were united in 1986. Arrochar, in particular, has undergone a remarkable transformation. According to Dane, the main building was closed by the Church of Scotland around 1992 (actually 1996) because of its dangerous condition. Shortly after he arrived, steps were taken to bring about its restoration. Dane paid tribute to congregation member Marion Anderson, from Arrochar, who marshalled support and funds for the work. The response to her pleas "and badgering" was tremendous. More than £20,000 was raised, with some local hotels and businesses showing considerable generosity. Offers of skills and labour were also gratefully received. A community trust, chaired by Dane, was created to oversee the restoration work, and the Church of Scotland agreed to give the trust a 19-year lease on the building. Said Dane: "The roof had to be stabilised and given preliminary repairs, the floor was renewed and rotten plaster replaced. New wood panelling was also put in throughout the building. RESTORED "Over the past year, some of the stained-glass windows have also been restored." "A further £6,000 from a local hotel has meant that in recent weeks we have been able to begin renewing the whole roof. The building's rendering will be done next." It is not just the church that has seen big improvements. The congregation has also been rebuilt - dramatically. Dane explained: "Numbers have just grown and grown. That is what has been really exciting. When I started we had 12 - 15 regulars at Arrochar; now we have been 70 and 80." Dane has fewer attending at Luss because it's a smaller village, but because of the tourist element he can never be quite sure how many people will be sitting in front of him on a Sunday - or where they will come from. "We get a lot of visitors. It's fun seeing how many different countries are represented some weeks." He is a fast worker, Dane Sherrard - growing a congregation five fold in a few years. But the minister, known at his previous charge for driving around in an old red sports car, has to be quick off the mark in another way. His Sunday morning service at Arrochar finishes at 11.30 a.m. and his Luss one starts 11 miles down the road at 11.45 a.m. And these days, he gets around in an old, slow Subaru. "It's tight, and on a good day I can make Luss on time." "They start the bells ringing when they catch sight of me coming down the road."