A community meeting is to be held to discuss the future of a historic north coast church, which was closed a number of years ago.
The public meeting, which will take place at Tongue Village Hall on Saturday, August 2, from 10am, will focus on St Andrew’s Church in Tongue.
One option for discussion will be the establishment of a charity to maintain the church, which dates back beyond the 17th century and is a landmark on the North Coast 500 (NC500) tourism route.
The simple, whitewashed cruciform church has a 19th-century bellcote and is surrounded by a graveyard. The crypt contains the remains of one of the chiefs of the Clan Mackay.
Jonathan Straw, who is helping to organise the meeting, said: “Everyone with an interest in the future of this important historic building is welcome to attend the meeting and put forward ideas.”
St Andrew’s is a Category A listed building that is thought to date back to 1680, although it was rebuilt and extended in 1778 and 1862.
This simple, whitewashed cruciform church has a 19th-century bellcote and is surrounded by a graveyard. The crypt contains the remains of one of the chiefs of the Clan Mackay.
The property is set to be sold as part of the Church of Scotland’s radical overhaul of its property portfolio amid shrinking congregations.
A 2023 report by the Church of Scotland stated that St Andrew’s Church had been closed due to safety concerns relating to the plaster ceiling.
The report noted the property’s poor accessibility and lack of facilities, recommending its sale.
The former congregation, The Fellowship Group, has been worshipping successfully in the village hall.
Mr Straw said: “The future of redundant churches all over Scotland is a major issue. You only have to look at the list of churches for sale on the Church of Scotland website to appreciate the enormity of what is happening to these familiar features in our towns and villages.”
He said that St Andrew’s Church was integral to the community’s history and heritage, including that of the Clan Mackay, but it was now “facing a critical moment”.
Mr Straw continued: “The public meeting will give the community an opportunity to have its say about the future ownership of the building. Those attending will be able to discuss whether there is sufficient interest, commitment, and capacity within the Tongue and Skerray communities to establish a charity to purchase, maintain, run, and safeguard the building for the future.”
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