Easter Worship in our churches is a reality this year

One example of a re-opening with additional restrictions in place is Condorrat Parish Church which was able to hold a service on Sunday -after it was finally deemed that churches could host their congregations again.

A church spokesperson confirmed: " The church is now open for 45 people although they must book their seat. There are no Holy Week services this year but there will be a service on Easter Sunday at 11am as usual.

"The services are now recorded and are available on the Condorrat Parish Church Facebook page from 12.30pm on a Sunday.”

Members of the congregation who wish to book a seat must contact 07533 763697 on Monday to Thursday mornings.

The area’s Catholic churches have re-opened to 50 people at a time at Heart Parish Church in Kildrum and St Lucy's in Abronhill.

Father John Campbell is parish priest at both said: "We are all delighted - full houses since the doors opened again - people are just so keen to get back. It’s given us a renewed appreciation of Holy Mass but also of each other. One lady said,’ The internet is fine, I can even broadcast it to my big telly but it’s nothing like being back! ’ ’”

However, Cumbernauld Old Parish Church has not re-open ed, despite restrictions being lifted on public worship, and will remain closed on Easter Sunday.

Reverend Elspeth McKay explained that the dimensions of the building were a stumbling block.

She said: "Our problem is the shape and size of the church. Although government restrictions say we can have up to 50 people there, we can only have 24 due to social distancing and this is about a quarter of our usual congregation. There will be an online service for each day of Holy Week and, of course, Easter Day. It’s planned that we open on Sunday, April 25 for a monthly service.”

Kilsyth’s Burns and Old Parish Church will also remain shut with online and telephone-led services set to continue meantime.