Photo credit - Ian Masterton, Alamy Stcok Photo

Kenmore Church is about to be sold on the open market if our community does not act quickly to buy it. 

Before considering a purchase of the church we carried out a survey to ask people in our community what they thought; and to try to assess available practical support to convert the church into a functioning and flexible community space. 

We welcomed views from the wider community and area; business owners; holiday home owners; visitors and importantly, young people.

The results are available below.

The survey results and next steps were discussed in some depth at a Community Council meeting on 13 August in Acharn Comrades' Hut. A presentation of the results and possible next steps is available below. The Council agreed that it had a clear mandate from the community to move forward to investigate grant funding opportunities, and to try to recruit a project manager to take the lead. 

We are in discussion with various bodies seeking advice and financial assistance.

A final decision to purchase the church has yet to be taken.

CC Meeting Presentation - 13 August 2025

Opinion survey - Results

CC Special Meeting Notes - 13 August 2025

Public Meeting Notes 24 July 2025

Feasibility Report - full

Feasibility Report - Executive summary

Architect's Report 

Timeline of events

Questions and answers

Media

Dundee Courier article - June 23

Dundee Courier article Aug 16

Newsletter

Ask to join our Kenmore Church Project mailing list

Resources

Your church, your community - DTAS guidance on communit church purchase

Church of Scotland - Guidance on Disposal of Redundant Churches

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

Many similar Church of Scotland churches and Manses across Scotland are also being sold. 

This has 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 are 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. 

If you have any questions, wish to make your views known, or could offer help with this project, please contact: 

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