Buildings at Risk Register Paused
Following the review of the Buildings at Risk Register the decision has been taken to pause the BARR in order to consider long-term options for its future.
The existing BARR website will remain accessible as a resource, however it will not be updated and we're not accepting nominations for additions to the Register.
Tongland Parish Church (Former), Tongland
Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved. © Copyright and database right 2025. Public Sector Viewing Terms
				Useful Links
- NRHE:
 - TONGLAND PARISH CHURCH
 - Historic Scotland:
 - HS Reference No 17127
 
General Details and Location
Category
						AT RISK
					Name of Building
						Tongland Parish Church (Former)
					Other Name(s)
						Tongland Church of Scotland (Former)
					Address
						Tongland
					Locality
						
					Postcode
						
					Planning Authority
						
					Divisional Area
						
					Reference No
						1423
					Listing Category
						B
					OS Grid Ref
						NX 69794 53914
					Location Type
						Rural
					HS Reference No
						17127
					Description
Rectangular neo-Gothic hall church with square tower to N and later vestry/porch to S gable. Sandstone rubble with polished red sandstone margins and dressings, all openings recently blocked with breeze-block. 3-bay buttressed body of church, hoodmoulded Tudor-arch windows. Slate roofs, sandstone skews. (Historic Scotland)
					Building Dates
						Dated 1813
					Architects
						Unknown
					Category of Risk and Development History
Condition
						Ruinous
					Category of Risk
						Low
					Exemptions to State of Risk
						
					Field Visits
						1995, 1997, October 2000, 06/05/2010, 11/4/2014
					Development History
					December 1992: SCT understands the church has stood unused for many years, having closed for worship in the 1930s. All openings are now blocked up. External inspection reveals the tower and walls to be in generally good condition, but the roof slates are beginning to slip and 1 of the 5 kingpost trusses is suffering from advanced decay. The surrounding graveyard remains in use. 23 September 1993: The Galloway News reports that Stewartry District Council has reaffirmed its decision not to purchase the church from the Church of Scotland, following the Church's failure to find another buyer. Architects for the Church are now to prepare proposals for partial demolition, with Historic Scotland preferring to see the retention of the tower and the reduction of the walls to cill height. March 1996: The Church of Scotland confirms that the church has not yet been sold. 26 June 1996: The Galloway Gazette reports on the church's inclusion in the Buildings at Risk Bulletin. February 1997: A Dangerous Building Notice is served. June 1998: Civil engineers report that the walls could stand safely if the roof was removed. October 1998: Permissions are sought for part demolition. SCT does not object to the removal of the roof, but objects to the lowering of the north gable. The masonry walls will be consolidated. 4 February 1999: The Galloway News reports that permissions have been granted for the removal of the roof and demolition of the north gable, which was found to require extensive buttressing. 2 June 1999: The Dumfries and Galloway Standard reports that the Church is now to seek full demolition due to the cost of partial retention. 12 August 1999: The Galloway News reports that the church has been purchased by a local businessman who plans to restore it for exhibition and business use. October 2000: External inspection reveals that openings have been breached, with further deterioration evident. 20 December 2002: The Galloway Gazette reports that the church is in the ownership of a Mr David Shields. As yet, no repairs have been undertaken and Councillors are threatening the serving of a Repairs Notice. July 2005: In discussion with local planners agreed that church should be moved to Alert database. The church is surrounded by an active graveyard. There are major servicing problems and the roof has recently been removed under a public safety notice.
May 2011: External inspection finds the building is now a roofless shell. Plants are taking hold on the walls, especially the east elevation and flat surfaces, such as the top of the tower. Moved to At Risk
11 April 2014: External inspection finds the building remains in much the same condition as seen previously.
26 July 2024: Desk-based assessment suggests the building remains At-Risk.
Guides to Development
Conservation Area
						
					Planning Authority Contact
						
					PAC Telephone Number
						01387 260199
					Availability
Current Availability
						Unknown
					Appointed Agents
						
					Price
						
					Occupancy
						Vacant
					Occupancy Type
						N/A
					Present/Former Uses
						Building Uses Information: <br />
Present Use 1: N/A  Former Use 1: Church/Convent/Monastery<br />
Present Use 2: N/A  Former Use 2: N/A
					Name of Owners
						
					Type of Ownership
						Private
					Information Services
Additional Contacts/Information Source
						
					Bibliography
						Gifford (1996), pp553-554; Groome (1883); Hume (2000), p165.
					Online Resources
						
					Classification
						Churches and Chapels
					Original Entry Date
						22-DEC-92
					Date of Last Edit
						07/01/2021
					
			










