Question mark over future of St Ninian's Church in Nairn plus churches at Auldearn and Cawdor as Church of Scotland carries out a major review of its property portfolio due to falling attendances
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Within days of work starting on the restoration of a Nairn church it has been revealed the Church of Scotland has plans to close St Ninian’s in Cawdor Road.
It is the largest church in its Inverness Presbytery and two other rural churches in Nairnshire – Auldearn and Cawdor – are also planned for closure in a major review of its property portfolio due to falling church attendances.
The news will reignite debate about large public buildings in Nairn and their long-term future use and sustainability.
A mission plan for Inverness and Moray by the Church of Scotland reveals no final decisions have been made regarding the Nairnshire churches and Kirk Sessions have until the end of August to submit alternative proposals.
Under the draft proposals, local congregations in the East Nairnshire and Nairn area could ultimately unite to form a Parish Grouping to support joint working and a shared vision for mission.
Under the plans for East Nairnshire, Nairn St Ninian’s and Auldearn, along with Dyke and Edinkillie church buildings, will no longer be required as places of worship and are likely to be replaced with a new multi-purpose building in the Nairn-Forres corridor.
The closure of St Ninian’s will leave Nairn Old as the town church for Nairn with a view to eventually creating a two-team ministry.
Under the review, Croy and Dalcross will join the Daviot and Dunlichity and Moy, Dalarossie and Tomatin congregations in a new parish group, The Straths, supporting two centres of worship in Croy and Tomatin.
Croy Church will be retained and upgraded to function as a multi-purpose building for worship and mission. The Mound in Cawdor will also be retained as a base for mission and retreat centre, although not for regular worship. Worship and mission will continue at a community hall in Tomatin.
The Presbytery of Inverness expects to discuss the draft mission plan in September.
If the plan is approved, Nairn St Ninian’s is expected to close by December 31, 2025. The closure of Dyke, Edinkillie, Auldearn and Cawdor churches will be deferred until the retirement or demission of the current minister.
A spokesman for the Church of Scotland said: “This is work in progress, no final decisions have been made and Kirk Sessions have until the end of August to submit alternative proposals.
“Change is necessary in order to deliver sustainable and realistic new expressions of ministry and church and ensure all buildings are suitable for the needs of mission in the 21st century.”
The Inverness Courier understands the proposed multi-purpose building on the Nairn-Forres corridor would a new build community hub at the proposed Springfield housing development planned for East Nairn.
The Rosebank Church closed in 1979 when its congregation amalgamated with the High Church to form St Ninian’s.
Since its closure, the Category C listed building has had a chequered history.
A developer has now started work on its conversion into nine flats.
Joy as work confirmed on dilapidated kirk
Nairn Highland councillor Paul Oldham said: “I can understand the Church of Scotland’s need to consider closures as congregations continue to decline. But churches are often iconic buildings in the community and that’s certainly true of St Ninian’s, whose spire can be seen from all over the town.
“They’re also often listed due to their age and architectural significance, which does help protect them but also makes it harder for the church when considering what to do with them for the best.
“I’m obviously keen that we don’t end up with St Ninian’s lying empty for years, as has happened elsewhere in Nairn with older buildings, and I have already met with the church to discuss ways forward for the future. Let’s hope the church comes up with a sensible plan that works for both them and Nairn.”
Nairn West and Suburban Community Council chairman Alastair Noble who has long advocated a review of the underused buildings in the town centre to re-generate the area to provide more social housing and economic footfall for local businesses said.
“We must avoid another Rosebank Church disaster which was allowed to decay for nearly 50 years,” he said.
“It has been a complete planning blight and we are delighted to see it being brought back into use for flats.
“It is now essential that Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Business Improvement District, local businesses and NICE [Nairn Integrated Community Enterprise] work together to regenerate the town centre, re-using existing buildings.”
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