Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Jacob Farr

Spectacular East Lothian church with massive garden goes on sale for £100,000

St John's Church in East Lothian, which is owned by the Church of Scotland, has been put up for sale for only £100,000.

The Church has been forced to put the fantastically spacious property up for sale after the Presbytery of Lothian came to the conclusion that it was no longer financially viable to maintain the property in its current state.

A recent survey of the building found that the boiler needed to be replaced and a number of other issues meant that the Church could no longer use the building for congregations.

READ MORE: Midlothian movie buff transforms old Volkswagen Beetle into Herbie replica

As a result they have decided to use their limited resources elsewhere - a move that is being replicated across the country by Church presbyteries.

The planning element of the RightMove ad states that: “The hall is not listed and could be used, without the necessity of obtaining change of use consent, as a crèche, day nursery, day centre, educational establishment, museum, art gallery or public library.

“It also has potential for a variety of other uses, such as a theatre, cinema or entertainment venue, hospitality and restaurant, retail space or community resource subject to obtaining appropriate consents. Conversion to residential accommodation might also be possible, again subject to the usual consents.”

The detached former Church building was originally constructed around 1950 in the small East Lothian village of Whitecraig and those looking to secure the 1,985 sq. ft. property will have ample opportunity to renovate the space.

It is situated in its own 0.25 acre garden grounds with a large driveway and it's understood that the property was built using a variety of materials including stone, brick and roughcast outer walls under a pitched and slated roof.

The internal accommodation comprises: entrance vestibule, church hall, kitchen, two WC compartments and ancillary storage space.

A Church of Scotland spokesman said: “The Presbytery of Lothian, like all Church of Scotland presbyteries, is currently consulting on a draft mission plan to determine how limited resources should be allocated to congregations over a five-year period.

“It is a road map for a realistic new era of mission to ensure that the Church is fit for purpose to meet 21st century needs.

"Under the draft plan, the long-term future of St John's Church in Whitecraig was in doubt and a survey of the building concluded that it is no longer financially viable to maintain, not least because the boiler needs to be replaced.

"Office bearers took the decision to close the building as a place of worship and put it up for sale.

"The congregation has since transferred to St Michael’s Church in Inveresk."

You can view and enquire about the property here.

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.