The Church of Scotland (CoS) has decided that, due to falling congregation numbers, it intends to close and sell Kenmore Church. 

Many similar CoS churches across Scotland are also being sold. The rationale for this move was set out recently in a special newsletter from the Kirk Session - the local body of trustees responsible for implementing the instructions of the Church's General Assembly - to the congregation. A copy of which is attached below.

This will come as a serious disappointment to all of those in the area, not just our churchgoers - the kirk is very much part of the village and its life, and is a special place for many of us.

Worried about the future status of the kirk, and being keen not to lose such a precious asset, the Community Council approached the Kirk Session to try to explore options to protect the building for community use for the future should a sale take place. Our approach was warmly met and we have been offered the sale of kirk on an exclusive basis for a limited period. The details of a sale, including price, are yet to be firmed up.

Clearly, such a move would present opportunities to retain our kirk as a valuable community space for now and into the future, but it also brings financial and management risks which need to be properly assessed.

We have formed a small working group to prepare a feasibility report which will look at all the key issues involved. We are fortunate to have a recently prepared building condition survey and the pro bono assistance of McKenzie Strickland Architects, for which we are very grateful.

We are also investigating possible sources of funds and advice, and are learning from other communities’ experiences with taking over former religious buildings.

Taking the kirk on as a non-denominational community space would require significant commitment and support from the community. 

Once we have the report near completion we will carry out a consultation with residents and local businesses. We expect this to happen within the next month or so and will keep you fully informed.

In the meantime, if you have any question, or wish to make your views known, please contact: 

Community Council: info@kenmore-and-district-cc.org.uk 

Kirk Session: lorimer.gray@gmail.com

Over the last year, the Perth Presbytery Mission Plan was created and finalised with approval granted by the members of Presbytery and also by the Church of Scotland central office in Edinburgh.

Within the Plan, and in fact across Scotland as a whole, a vast array of churches are very sadly earmarked for closure. In our patch, Kenmore Church is one of those designated to close this year.

You may ask, why is this occurring across Scotland?

The answer is quite simple and straightforward. Numbers of people attending worship, both members and adherents, have considerably and steadily reduced over the last decade; church buildings have become increasingly expensive to maintain and repair (Kenmore Church  is an example with more than  half a million already spent); funds coming into local churches are sizably depleted due to lack of worshippers; and the financial resources of the national Church of Scotland are at a desperately low level. 

It has been a steady decline over many years and the reality of it has now  come to a head. That explains why churches which are underused and expensive to operate and maintain have to close as the situation is not improving. It explains why these serious measures need to be taken by the General Trustees in Edinburgh.

So, how can we retain the iconic Kenmore Church building, as it sits in the heart of Kenmore village and is much loved by the Community?

A month ago, we had a message passed to the Kirk Session that the Kenmore and District Community Council, who knew about  the closure of Kenmore Church, informed us that they were strongly interested in the possibility of acquiring the building if it went up for sale. Their motivation to do this is in order to secure the church building for the benefit of the community  now and in the future.

The Trustees of Kenmore Church – that is the Kirk Session who have this responsibility – are enthusiastically  behind this initiative to retain the building for the community.  And so it was, with heavy hearts and sadness that the decision was made after voting on the proposal to potentially sell the church building on an off-market exclusive arrangement to the Kenmore and District Community Council. The decision was confirmed by  the result of the vote which produced a large majority in favour of the motion.

Currently, the Church of Scotland General Trustees are reviewing and consulting on the possibility and the Community Council are also considering all the angles and issues involved in the potential purchase of the property.

Please rest assured you will be kept informed of any further developments.