Creich Church sold to ‘sculptor’, with last service to be held this month
A final service will be preached at another church in Sutherland that has been sold and is now privately owned.
The closing service at Creich Church of Scotland, Swordale Road, Bonar Bridge, will take place on Sunday, January 26.
It follows a last service at another church in the area - Kincardine Parish Church, Ardgay - which was sold last October.
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Creich Church has been bought by a sculptor who has not yet been identified.
The two churches were among a large number of church buildings to be declared surplus to requirements by the Church of Scotland in a radical review of its property portfolio to address financial challenges and declining congregations.
A Grade C listed building, Creich Church was built on land gifted by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in 1913. Accommodation comprises an entrance vestibule, open-plan church hall, a minister’s room, tea preparation area, and a toilet.
In their review, church officials noted that the building had poor access and was only used by a small congregation for two hours a week. The church’s income stream was £9,500 in 2019 and £11,000 in 2020.
The report said: “The levels of income are below that required to sustainably run a church building. It is unlikely that the building could be run in a self-sustaining manner.
“The congregation recognise the shortcomings in the building and have ambitions of extending the building to the rear to provide improved facilities and flexible space. The congregation size, levels of income and current building usage make such an investment difficult to justify.”
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The building was put on the market in the autumn of last year, with offers of over £80,000 invited and a closing date set of December 5.
The vendors said the property had potential for a variety of other uses, such as a creche, nursery, day centre, educational facility, museum, and public library.
But Jeani Hunter, from the church’s session clerk team, said: “It has been bought by a sculptor who is also very skilled in all areas needed to maintain this wonderful building, which he will do without unnecessary external alterations.
“He plans to use the inside space as his studio. He is a well-respected artist and we are confident that he will be a good friend and neighbour to the community.”
Ms Hunter said the service later this month would mark the life of Creich Church.
She continued: “The closure of the church as a place of worship will be a great loss to the village, and we hope that many people who have been involved in the life of the church in the past will join us on the day to give thanks for all the worship, praise and fellowship there. Those who have been married and baptised in the church and those who have attended from time to time.
“You have all been very much a part of our church community, and we would be very pleased if you could join us on January 26. We will have time for memories and stories in the village hall and enjoy refreshments and snacks.”
At the start of this year, Kincardine, Croick and Edderton joined with Creich Church and Dornoch Cathedral in a new union - the Dornoch Firth Church of Scotland.
Ms Hunter said: “We will still have worship in the western area of our new Dornoch Firth Church of Scotland parish with the afternoon services in Bonar and Ardgay halls as well as other community and social events. The church is much more than Sunday worship.”
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