DUNOON’S historic High Kirk has been sold, marking the end of an era for one of the towns most prominent religious landmarks.
The Church of Scotland confirmed this week that the building has now officially changed hands, although rumours that the buyer is based in America remain unverified.
The Church ceased regular worship services at the site some time ago, and in September 2023, the former Presbytery of Argyll instructed the Churchs General Trustees to proceed with a sale.
A spokesman for the Church of Scotland said: The time had come to release the building as regular worship services were no longer being held.
A community group made contact with the General Trustees of the Church of Scotland in early 2023 and expressed interest and it is our understanding that attempts to form a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) to buy the building had been ongoing for a number of years and had not made meaningful progress.
The General Trustees have a track record of working successfully with community groups seeking to acquire local church buildings.
They added: However, instances where buildings are lying unoccupied and under the responsibility of the local congregation while community groups try to get organised, must be avoided as this places an unfair financial and legal burden on the congregation and the wider Church.
The General Trustees have fiduciary duties as charity trustees to ensure that best value is obtained when transferring ownership of a building and a below market transfer is not something which can be considered.
It should also be noted that the proceeds from the sale of any church or hall building are reinvested into other local Church of Scotland buildings for the benefit of the congregation and wider community.
A spokesperson for the Church of Scotland explained: The time had come to release the building as regular worship services were no longer being held.
While a local community group had expressed interest in acquiring the property and had been working toward forming a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), the Church says that after years of limited progress, it was no longer feasible to wait.
The spokesperson added: Buildings lying unoccupied while community groups try to get organised place an unfair financial and legal burden on the congregation and the wider Church.
Although the building has been sold, the local authority will retain ownership of the adjoining churchyard and cemetery, which will remain under council care.
The Church of Scotland also confirmed that all proceeds from the sale will be reinvested into other Church properties in the area to support congregational and community use.
