Community meeting called to discuss future of St Andrew's Church, Tongue
An ‘informal' meeting’ is to be held next week to discuss the future of a north Sutherland church, which has been closed for the last two to three years.
Historic St Andrew’s Church at Tongue is in line to be ‘disposed off’ as part of the Church of Scotland’s ongoing radical shake-up of its property estate.
It is one of some 12 churches across Sutherland that are set to be sold off in the next couple of years, according to a comprehensive report prepared by the church on buildings it owns in the county.
Only six parish churches are to remain – Assynt, Eddrachillis, Dornoch Cathedral, Clyne (Brora), Lairg, and Kinlochbervie.
The report says of St Andrew's Church: “Disposal date as soon as possible but no later than end 24”.
Some communities have launched bids to retain their churches. Rogart is considering asking the church for ‘first refusal’ of its St Callan’s Church and the Melness community also hope to retain their church.
A category A listed building, St Andrew’s is thought to date back to 1680 but was rebuilt and added to in 1778 and 1862.
A simple, white harled cruciform church, it has a 19th century bellcote and is surrounded by a graveyard. The crypt contains the remains of one of the chiefs of Clan Mackay
According to the report, St Andrew’s was closed two to three years ago due to safety concerns relating to the plaster ceiling. There are also issues with access and a lack of facilities.
The former congregation has since been worshipping “successfully” in the village hall.
The “informal get-together” is to take place in Tongue Village Hall on Tuesday, October 3, from 2.30pm-4pm.
Organisers say the purpose of the meeting is to “explore ideas for the future of St Andrew's”.
Meanwhile a community bid to retain Melness Church is ongoing.
Dorothy Pritchard, chairperson of Melness Crofters Estate said: “We have had positive discussions about retaining the church and are hoping to form a charitable organisation to take it over and run it as a multi-faith, community church - a building for the whole community.
The church in its report described Melness church as ‘not regularly used’ and with basic facilities - there is no kitchen - and an ‘inflexible space’.
The report stated that there were some fabric issues with work required to be undertaken to the roof.
