Church is put on market for offers over £20,000 after congregation numbers fall
A Perthshire church has been put up for sale after a drop in congregation numbers.
St Anne’s Church in Dowally has been put on the market by the Church of Scotland for offers over £20,000.
The rural church was built in 1818, although it replicates an earlier church which was built on the site in the 1500s.
One of the highlights of the church is its birdcage belfry, which dates from 1788 - suggesting it is even older than the rest of the church building - and the belfry’s 18-inch bell cast.
There are currently services around twice a month at the church, however more and more nearby residents are choosing to go to Dunkeld instead for their Sunday worship.
This has caused a sharp decline in congregation numbers at Dowally, forcing the Church of
Scotland to put the sacred building on the market.
A spokesperson for the Church of Scotland said:“St Anne’s Church at Dowally was previously used twice a month by the congregation of Dunkeld Parish Church.
“Historically there was a larger rural population around St Anne’s.
“However, the majority of the congregation no longer live close to Dowally and find attending the church at Dunkeld more convenient.
“As a church we must continually assess our need for properties to ensure a prudent use of charity assets, particularly when they may no longer be in suitable locations.”
The closing date for submitting offers for St Anne’s Church was noon on Wednesday, August 21 .
The listing for the stone church described it as having“lovely ecclesiastical fixtures, including stained glass windows and wooden wall panelling”.