Christianity is crashing: Scotland offers one hundred churches for sale as the UK retreats from Christianity

Church of Scotland sell-off comes as most people say they have no religion

    The neo-gothic St Mary's Greyfriars in Dumfries is on the market for bids of more than £38,000

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The Church of Scotland is liquidating one hundred ancient structures in order to raise money following a sharp drop in clergy and congregants.

In what the Church has called a "painful" step, churches, land lots, and old council houses—some of which date back to the 1700s—have been put up for sale at prices starting at £35,000.

The organization stated that it currently owns "far more [churches] than is required" and that financial constraints had forced it to make "difficult" decisions about its future.

According to figures from the most recent census, the Church of Scotland has lost a million members since 2001, and the majority of Scots now identify as nonreligious.

It is also battling a decline in the number of clergy members. The Church disclosed in 2022 that it has lost forty percent of its ministers since 2000.

The Church hopes that by removing its centuries-old, energy-draining structures, it would be able to “reduce the pressure on congregational finances”.

A spokesperson for the Church of Scotland stated: "We recognize the full spectrum of feelings, including grief, guilt, rage, and relief that the weight of maintaining a place of worship with few patrons and little to no support from other community sources has finally been removed."

The Church possesses thousands of properties—many more than are necessary to fulfill our main goal of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.

"The Church is undergoing a metamorphosis, and it is crucial that it is adequately prepared to serve its function in the twenty-first century. While structures are treasured, advancement cannot be impeded by them.

St Marks in the heart of Aberdeen is the priciest property the Church of Scotland has listed for sale Credit: geogphotos /Alamy Stock Photo

A charming church in Laggan, Inverness-shire, is up for bids over £35,000, and the neo-gothic St. Mary's Greyfriars in Dumfries is out for bids over £38,000. Both historic buildings are on the market.

The striking town church, which will close to worshippers on Thursday, is just 594 square meters in size and costs a small portion of the £165,000 average house price in the neighbourhood. Nevertheless, with the lowest EPC score of G, its energy performance is appalling, much like the majority of churches on the market.

The most expensive house for sale is the renowned St Marks in the center of Aberdeen, which is advertised for £390,000. Kirkinner Church (£40,000) in Dumfries and Galloway and Kirknewton Church (£215,000) in West Lothian are two more houses of worship that are up for auction.

Since revealing its strategy to significantly slim down its portfolio, the Church has been accused of disrespecting country dwellers by forcing them to make lengthy trips to neighbouring parishes. 

The closure of the 900-year-old Birnie Kirk, Moray, caused uproar last year after being listed on the market. The historic church, which is one of the oldest in Scotland, is yet to be sold but will be released from ownership by 2027. “The patterns of Church life have changed over the decades and we recognise that the speed and pace of the change has been difficult, challenging and a painful experience for man,” a spokesman said.

Birnie Kirk's near 900-year run as a place of worship came to an end in November last year Credit: Peter Jolly/Northpix

The Church said its buildings “have the potential to be used for a variety of different purposes” – whether it be for residential, entertainment or education. But, Andrew Boast, of SAM Conveyancing, a panel of surveyors and solicitors, warned potential buyers to be careful. “No matter how enticing they may seem, you should err on the side of caution and not get too caught up in the excitement as churches can be far more tricky than the listing lets on,” he said. “Churches are notoriously chilly and good at losing heat, making them tricky and expensive to keep warm. “Converting them to residential or commercial buildings will involve navigating a complex maze of planning regulations and legal requirements – not to mention issues with conservation or significant historical statuses.”

Mr Boast said works are likely to be “met with a lot of bureaucratic red tape”, leading to lengthy delays and additional costs. His thoughts are echoed by Emma Myrie, of specialist insurer Homeprotect: “A church or chapel may seem like a bargain based on the sale price alone, but factoring in the challenges around conversion, maintenance and upkeep could make it a false economy.”