A distillery and a bunkhouse are among ideas for the future use of a historic church building.
Crossmichael residents believe the Church of Scotland is close to putting the village church – built in the 18th century – up for sale.
And that has led the community council and community trust to consider possible future uses for the kirk.
Community council chairman Robert Middleton said: “The community council and trust is working together to think about possible options for what, if anything, we might do with the building – whether we might want to put together a plan to take ownership or whether we don’t think that’s a viable thing to do.
“It’s a very challenging proposition. It’s a large building, it’s fairly expensive to maintain, most of it dates from the 18th century and it’s listed grade A so it’s very difficult to know what you’d be allowed to do with it, let alone afford to.
“Then you have to think of the purpose of the building that is viable.”
A public meeting regarding future uses of the building was recently held, with staff from Community Enterprise coming along so they could draw up an options appraisal.
They then looked at seven ideas that were put forward – doing nothing, a bunkhouse, a heritage site, a cafe or bistro, a distillery, a hall or a shop.
Mr Middleton added; “Quite a number of people think it would be a tragedy if such a historically important building were allowed to fall into a state of ruin.
“If the church is put on the market, some private buyer might come out of the woodwork. None of us can think of what a private buyer would want to do with it.
“Not only is it an expensive building and listed, it’s slap bang in the middle of a historic graveyard which is itself listed grade A so you can’t touch it. There’s no vehicle access, it would be a difficult proposition for anybody.”
Among the people buried in the kirkyard are sailor John Tait – believed to be the inspiration for Captain Hook in Peter Pan – and a soldier who died in the Charge of the Light Brigade.
A Church of Scotland spokesman said no decision had been taken on the future of the building.
Anyone with any suggestions for the future use of the building can get in touch with Richard Middleton on richardandjane@phonecoop.coop.
