New life for church buildings

Jackie Macadam considers the options for former church buildings.

AT the time of writing, a number of church buildings are advertised for sale on the Church of Scotland’s website. Their future uncertain.

The repurposing of Scottish churches has occurred for many reasons, reflecting shifts in religious practice, demographics, and community needs. Their adaptation tends to follow set patterns, due to the nature of the building.

Some churches have been converted into residential properties, often for those seeking unique living spaces or historic homes. The large open interiors of churches can lend themselves well to conversion into spacious apartments or houses. Developers may retain architectural features like stained glass windows, vaulted ceilings, and decorative stonework to preserve the character of the original building.

Former churches have been repurposed as commercial or cultural venues. This could include transforming them into art galleries, concert halls, theatres, or event spaces. Their architecture and acoustics make them attractive venues for cultural events and performances.

Some are adapted into community centres, providing space for local activities, meetings, and social gatherings. These spaces can serve as hubs for community engagement and support, offering facilities for a wide range of programs and services.

“ While congregations mourn the loss of a loved family church building, their closure does not have to mean a complete loss to the community they once served.

Others have been converted into hotels, restaurants, or tourist accommodations. These conversions often capitalise on the historical and architectural significance of the buildings, offering visitors a unique and memorable experience.

A few churches have been incorporated into larger mixed-use developments, where the original building is preserved and integrated with new construction. This approach allows for the preservation of historic architecture while accommodating modern amenities and uses.

While congregations mourn the loss of a loved family church building, their closure does not have to mean a complete loss to the community they once served.

“It’s important to find the use that is appropriate to the building AND the community,” says Victoria Collison-Owen, Director of Historic Churches Scotland and a person well-versed in the history of church closures and their potential uses thereafter.

“Church redundancy is nothing new,” she says. “Even West Register House in Edinburgh (a significant building in central Edinburgh) was once a church.

“But in today’s climate of change, it’s very important to get the repurposing both appropriate to the community and the building itself and that is best done through community consultation into what is needed locally and through a sound understanding of the significance of the building. There are so many factors to consider to get the process right.”

All over the country, Scotland’s church buildings are being closed as the new presbytery plans are brought into being. Many congregations feel a great sense of loss at the closure of their church and worry about how it will be used thereafter.

Some have been turned into houses, either individual ones or converted into flats; some have been turned into climbing centres, using the height of the building to great effect and giving climbers a real challenge. Some have been converted into petrol stations, equestrian stables, even restaurants or eateries when they’ve been sold privately.

“That communities should want to retain and, in many cases, continue to use their local church for occasional services, weddings and funerals alongside a range of other secular uses is by no means new in Scotland. What is new and of increasing concern to Historic Churches Scotland, Heritage Trust Network, and others in the sector, is the significant growth in the number of community-led groups and the limited resources available to support these groups through the process of acquiring and sustainably managing their local church.

“Historic Churches Scotland and Heritage Trust Network – one of our partner organisations – recognised that a substantial number of church-owning community trusts exist outside the traditional support networks of their former denominations and the heritage sector. Ensuring that these trusts have access to the support and expertise they need is vital.

“It can be confusing for a community which is faced with losing their church building and which wants to investigate the possibility of buying it and keeping its value within the community, to know how to do I,” says Victoria “What do they do first? How do they get through the process? What will give them the biggest chance of success?

“Along with Heritage Trust Network and Community Ownership Support Service we have produced guidance that will take a local group through the process step-bystep and guide them how to make good decisions for their community and for the building. It is important to emphasise that ownership of their local church is not the right solution for every community, but having the opportunity to consider this and reach a collective decision is also a necessary step in the change process.

“ Taking over a building of any type is a big step for a community and brings with it substantial responsibility.

“Taking over a building of any type is a big step for a community and brings with it substantial responsibility. It can appear a daunting prospect, but this document has been designed to guide you through the process. 

“Looking for funding, resources or advice – but not sure where to start? There’s a Churches Sector Map that will help guide you to sources of information and support.

“There’s also an ongoing programme of events online that any group thinking about taking over their local church building can join in with and get great advice and help, and connect to a network of others at different stages in the ownership journey.

“There are also case studies that are featured on Heritage Trust Network’s YouTube channel that include churches like Kilmarnock Old Kirk – now a centre for community use which also hosts services and has a Green Burial Ground; Netherton Church, now used for community events and services as well as having adapted the vestry as letting office space and is managed by the Netherton Church Building Community Group.”

Community focussed uses for church buildings seems to be a favoured outcome among repurposed churches.

Perhaps as a result of the Scottish Government’s emphasis on community, there has also been an increase in the number of local initiatives to acquire old church buildings. In particular, there has been an increase in the number of redundant churches acquired by local trusts in order to retain a community space or asset following the closure of the post office, shop, pub and school.

Overall, the repurposing of Scottish churches reflects a combination of preservation efforts, adaptive reuse strategies, and responses to changing societal needs. It often involves a careful balance between honouring the heritage of these buildings and adapting them to serve contemporary purposes, and though that might hurt in the short term, in the long term it is surely better that the building is used than left empty.