Here's a number of links to information which the SCOTO Network have provided on all issues regarding churches.
Ask SCOTO if you need specific information or if you have good data to share.
Community Owned Churches
Tips and links from SCOTO Network members and others on the purchasing, repurposing and management of churches.
We've had increasing interest from members about the issue of churches in their area closing due to declining worshipers and a shortage of ministers. There's a fear that these buildings, usually the most prominent feature of a communities skyline, will be left abandoned or sold on the open market. These buildings are often vital hubs to local neighbourhoods providing various community activities and services, which could also be lost.
Advice
Historic Churches Scotland is a charity that saves historic churches at risk. They work with communities to secure the future of their churches through expert conservation and creative regeneration and they serve all denominations and faiths.
Scottish Churches Trust Aims to encourage and promote public understanding of why it is important to protect Scotlands churches. The Trust works directly with active places of worship to provide when available, grants and bursaries to aid preservation. They also provide a directory to help people looking to visit a church in Scotland.
National Churches Trust as a independently funded chartity the National Churches Trust works across all four nations and support churches of all denominations. They provide advice, funding, promotion and training and their vision is that church buildings across the UK are well maintained, open foreveryone, sustainable and valued.
Heritage Trust Network is UK membership organisation run by people who have delivered amazing heritage projects against all the odds. Run by professional volunteers the organisation provides an invaluable platform for members by way of peer-to-peer support, knowledge sharing and skills development. They have a useful page of information for communities working with church buildings, of digital resources, case studies and events from across Scotland and England.
Historic Environment Scotland is the he lead public body set up to investigate, care for and promote Scotland’s historic environment. They provide support to communites, planning and guidance, listing, scheduling and designations advice,resources and case studies, grants and funding.
Community Land Scotland have over 100 members across Scotland and aim to be a voice for community landowners. They provide support and advice throughout the whole process of a community buy-out from where to get funding and feasibility studies to post -acquisition events and training.
Plunkett Foundation is a UK wide national charity that supports rural communities to manage the issues of running community businesses. The Plunkett Foundation has a network of advisers across the UK that provide support to over 600 community businesses from pubs to farms.
The Community Right to Buy Fund provides support for communities to access professional services, where needed, to help with registering an interest under Community Right to Buy legislation. This could include legal title searches or help with mapping.
Scottish Land Fund supports rural and urban communities to become more resilient and sustainable through the ownership and management of land and land assets.
Funding
Funding for repairs, maintenance and project development is available to communities that have taken on church buildings, as long as they still host a minimum of six public acts of worship per year – this could be festival services, weddings, funerals, baptisms or smaller, one-off services – as long as they are open for all to attend. The church buildings should also be open to the public for at least 100 days per year.
There is a dedicated page on the National Churches Trust website with all you need to know, and you are encouraged to contact the team at National Churches Trust for a conversation about your circumstances.
Historic Environment Scotland Grants and funding schemes offered by Historic Environment Scotland to support projects that promote and protect our historic environment.
Architectural Heritage Fund helps communities find enterprising ways to revitalise the old buildings they love with advice, grants and loans.
Funding Scotland is a service provided by Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations to provide access to up-to-date, high-quality information on funding opportunities that is vital to third-sector organisations in Scotland.
Community Ownership Fund has £150m to help communities across the UK to take ownership of assets at risk of closure. It will run until March 2025.
Quick Links
Historic Churches Scotland is a charity that saves historic churches at risk. They work with communities to secure the future of their churches through expert conservation and creative regeneration.
The National Churches Trust's mission is to help keep the UK's collection of church buildings well maintained, valued, and used. They offer a wide range of support and advice, from a specialist skills directory to training.
Development Trusts Association Scotland has many valuable documents on Community Right to Buy, feasibility and financial planning.
Buildings at Risk have a handy list of 101 uses for church buildings.
COSS has created a practical and comprehensive feasibility module which goes through the steps required for a community asset transfer.
Through the RIAS (The Royal Incoproration of Architects in Scotland) you can find, by postcode, architects who are classed as 'Competent in Working in the Historic Built Environment'.
Champing™ is the unique concept of camping overnight in historic churches, brought to the world by The Churches Conservation Trust, the national charity protecting historic churches at risk. By supporting Champing, you’re also helping to preserve these ancient spaces for the future.
Exploring Opportunities: Churches and Tourism - Online Event
Heritage Trust Network and Historic Churches Scotland partnered with SCOTO in early July to host an event aimed at any group contemplating the future of their church building, this event focused on how church buildings can play a part in your local tourism offering.
Below you'll find links to the organisations involved and links to the recordings of the event:
Historic Churches Scotland - contact@historicchurches.scot
Heritage Trust Network – sarah.pearce@heritagetrustnetwork.org.uk
https://www.strathnavermuseum.org.uk
Your Church Your Community - Guidance for communities exploring future uses for a church building by DTAS
Recordings: