Church of Scotland Nairn St Ninian Church locator. Picture: James Mackenzie.
Two Nairnshire church buildings are set to be sold and a new kirk session formed, Church of Scotland has confirmed.
Plans to let go of Nairn St Ninian’s Church as well as Auldearn Church were first announced in 2022 after Church of Scotland’s review of its assets.
Now the sales process for Auldearn Church has started and St Ninian’s will follow suit, although a date for the closure and sale of the High Street building is yet unknown.
Church of Scotland Auldearn and Dalmore Parish Church locator. Picture: James Mackenzie.
Announcing that the Nairn churches will unite to form Nairnshire Church of Scotland — which will oversee the sales process of St Ninian’s — and with Nairn Old will be retained as the town church, a spokesman recognised the “close emotional ties” the community has with buildings like St Ninian’s, saying that they “shared the sadness felt when a church is released.”
A Church of Scotland spokesman said: “As part of the local Presbytery Mission Plan to ensure the best use of our resources, the Nairn churches will unite to form Nairnshire Church of Scotland.
“No dates have yet been set for the closure and sale of St Ninian’s, but while the sale process is under way the building will remain available for community groups and some services Auldearn Church, which was united with St Ninian’s, is in the process of being released and will be advertised for sale in the near future.
The historic organ at Church of Saint Ninian in Nairn.Picture: Callum Mackay. Image No. 028199.
“However, the Church owns thousands of properties, far more than required to achieve its primary mission of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, and in the face of declining membership, dwindling membership and a shortage of ministers, the Church of Scotland’s 2021 General Assembly instructed Presbyteries across the country to complete a Mission Plan by the end of 2022 as part of a comprehensive programme of reforms intended to ensure the Church is equipped for Christian mission in the coming years and that all of our buildings are suitable for the needs of mission in the 21st century.”
St Ninian’s was originally built in 1880 by Andrew Maitland and Sons at a cost of approximately £7000, and hosts a nationally recognised historic church organ.
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