Alves Old Parish Church (Former), Alves

Long narrow rectangular church with distinctive narrow 8-bay fenestration in S elevation. Harled, ashlar margins and dressings. Round-headed entrance in E gable with re-set aediculed and pedimented mural monument dated 1677 and 1722 to right. 7 narrow, round-headed long windows light S elevation, shorter and wider in bays 3 and 5: similar styled doorway in outer SW bay with blind narrow round-headed light above.
Similar single gallery window in E and W gables. Multi-pane glazing in poor condition; some shutter hooks survive. Birdcage bellcote at E gable apex with slightly concave cap topped by ball finial and dated 1769; slate roof.

Church no longer in ecclesiastical use. Mural monument flanking E entrance has worn latin inscription and initialled BI and IF for Beroald Innes of Inchstelly and Margaret Falconer his wife. The memorial was situated in the choir of the pre-1769 church. Russell enclosure has initials JR and ES with date 1725 carved each side of entrance and plaque inscribed 'This Buriall place was erected by James Russell Chamberlaine to the Earl of Moray at Earles-Mill for himself his Spouse Elizabeth Spence and their children. The said James Russell died the 11 Jany. 1735 year and his
forsaid spouse died the 25 Sept 1737 year'.

10 November 1989: The Northern Scot reports that Moray District Council is to be approached by the Church of Scotland with a view to assuming responsibility for the church. The surrounding graveyard is already in Council ownership.<br /> May 1990: External inspection reveals that the church has been recently vandalised. SCT understands that the owners of the adjacent manse bought the church from the Church of Scotland, and are against its conversion to a new use due to the fact that it stands within a graveyard.<br /> January 2000: Local planners are unaware of any change.<br /> January 2005: No obvious change to the builidng fabric. Church remains vacant and at risk.

5 September 2012: External inspection finds the windows are in very poor condition and the building is no longer wind and water tight. Heavy ivy growth obscures the west end. Listed Building Consent for conversion of the former church to a dwelling was conditionally approved Aug 2011 ref: 11/00071/LBC.

13 July 2015: External inspection finds the building remains in much the same condition as seen previously. A marketing board is affixed advertising the site for sale. An application to extend the time limit for 11/00071/LBC was conditionally approved May 2014 ref:14/00510/LBC.

16 December 2015: The property remains under marketing for sale through agent CKD Galbraith, offers over £80,000.

2 March 2018: The property remains under marketing for sale through agents CKD Galbraith, offers over £80,000 invited.

28 October 2019: A member of the public notes the property is being marketed for sale through auction by Future Property Auctions. A guide price of £61,000 has been set.

11 December 2019: The property is being marketed for sale through auction by Future Property Auctions with a reduced guide price of £51,000. Deadline for offers is 13th December, 5pm.

23 March 2020: The property is being marketed for sale through auction by Future Property Auctions with a reduced guide price of £45,500 (lot 95). Auction scheduled for 28 April 2020.

1 February 2023: A planning application and Listed Building Consent have been submitted to convert the church into a dwellinghouse. (22/01839/APP) (22/01916/LBC).

9 October 2023: Press and Journal reports (24/09/2023) that plans have been approved to turn former church into dwelling. Listed Building Consents (22/01916/LBC) and Planning Permissions (22/01839/APP) for conversion of church to dwelling house have been conditionally approved (20/09/2023).

4 March 2024: The property is being marketed by R&R Urquhart Property, Forbes as a development opportunity with Full Planning Permission (22/01839/APP) and Listed Building Consents (22/01916/LBC) to convert the building into a detached 3-4 bedroom house. Offers over £120,000.