Community / Church sales come to an end
THE Church of Scotland’s large disposal of property in Shetland is reaching its end, after a number of kirk sales to both private individuals and community groups.
The last church to go on the open market – Gulberwick – has been listed as under offer for the last number of months.
Some churches have been taken on by the community or are being turned into homes.
But some have endured a more turbulent time.
The historic Tingwall kirk for example, which is described as the “mother church” of Shetland, was bought by a private buyer in 2023 but has repeatedly been put up for auction since.
Its latest online auction on 23 October, however, was successful – with the property achieving a sale at £35,000.
This was around £20,000 less than the Church of Scotland’s initial asking price when it first went on the market.
The Dunrossness church has also been put up for auction after being bought by a private individual, but it has so far failed to find a buyer. It appears it is going up again for auction later this week.
Both of these churches are surrounded by graveyards, which are operated by the council.
It was back in 2018 when the Church of Scotland announced it would be closing 20 of its 31 buildings in the isles.
This was due to falling congregation numbers as well as wider pressures such as fewer candidates training for ministry.
A spokesperson said the Church of Scotland is “coming to the end of a process which will enable the Church in Shetland to make the best use of resources in order to serve its community and continue its core mission of sharing the Good News of Jesus”.
“The Church of Scotland has worked with local groups to explore the possibility of retaining redundant church buildings for community use and this has been successful in several cases, enabling some churches to remain available for services, weddings and funerals,” they added.
“Where this has not been possible, buildings have been offered for sale through the Church of Scotland’s property department.
“Although we know that many people in Shetland have a strong emotional connection to our churches, not only through attending regular services, but as the scene of major life events such as weddings, baptisms and funerals, with family connections dating back for generations.
“We know the closure of these much-loved building can cause upset, but we remain committed to providing pastoral and spiritual care for the people of the islands and look forward to finding new opportunities for growth.”
One of the churches which has had new life breathed into it following a community purchase is the one which overlooks Bigton.
It was taken on by the Bigton Collective, and re-named Hymhus.
It now hosts a second-hand shop as well as space for community meet-ups, events and concerts.
In Cunningsburgh the church there could also turn into a cafe and craft shop after being taken on by a private buyer.
Work continues on redeveloping the Brough kirk in Whalsay, which has been earmarked as a community hub.
It remains to be seen what will come of the Tingwall Kirk following its latest sale at auction.
One person who has been critical over the sale of the Tingwall church has been former councillor Tom Morton.
He previously said the Church of Scotland selling off the “mother kirk” was a case of “matricide”.
Speaking generally about the church sales, Morton said: “It’s a sad situation stemming from the fact that the Church of Scotland has sold or is in the process of selling its soul.
“The National Kirk holds in its hands much of Scotland’s cultural and social history, yet it has refused to recognise that its proper role is now in preserving that heritage, or passing it on for free to concerned community groups.
“In doing so it would be supporting the communities it once served so effectively – communities whose contributions largely built and maintained the buildings now being sold off.
“The Kirk is now, for all practical purposes, a theological irrelevance in Shetland and Scotland and the sordid, money-grubbing antics involved in selling off its built heritage is just shameful.”
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