There is a section of the Church of Scotland website that suggests the organisation could almost reinvent itself as an estate agent – the BBC reports this week.
The “Properties for sale” page offers everything from plots of land to former council houses and church buildings, ranging from offers over £40,000 to £400,000.
The Reverend David Cameron, Convener of the Church of Scotland Assembly Trustees, sees it as a ‘sign of the times’.
Looking at the entry for a church in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, an entire church is up for sale – complete with hall and modern fitted kitchen.
With a portfolio of more than 5,000 properties, second only to the National Trust for Scotland, it has a significant volume of units in its portfolio.
Cameron explained: “We have a surplus of buildings and a large property portfolio. With reducing membership and income, and the challenge to maintain these properties, we need to address our estate.”
Selling churches, especially in rural areas, is sensitive. In some communities, these buildings are the only communal spaces available. Urban and rural settings alike face the high costs of maintenance and utilities.
But these church sales can turn these historic buildings into unique spaces.
St Luke’s in Glasgow’s east end, under the leadership of Operation Manager Alexander Riches, illustrates this transformation.
Since 2015, St Luke’s has become a busy bar and concert venue. The renovation was no small feat.
“The biggest challenge was really just trying to get a vision in place to turn it into what you see now,” Riches said.
The Church faces mounting challenges in preserving an extensive property portfolio amid declining attendance and resources, suggesting that many more properties could be sold in the foreseeable future; an attractive proposition to any agent prepared to market these largely historic buildings, subject to winning instruction from the church of course.
