St James's Church of Scotland (Former), St James' Road, Forfar

Romanesque style church in snecked rubble, on a rectangular plan with a 3-window facade to the east. A circular gable sits at the apex. A late gothic Church Hall was added in c.1900, whilst the interior was recast in 1936. (Historic Environment Scotland List Entry)

October 1991: SCT understands that the church has lain unused since the late 1970s, when its congregation joined with that of Forfar West Church. External inspection reveals that many of the leaded windows on the road elevation are now broken, and pigeons are nesting within the interior. Angus District Council is considering taking action to have the windows boarded-up. 1993: The church forms the focus of plans for a community facility for the elderly, unemployed and the young, advanced by Strangs Mortification Trustees. However, concrete plans do not subsequently transpire. 11 November 1993: The Forfar Dispatch reports on the church's inclusion in the Buildings at Risk Bulletin. 6 April 1995: The Forfar Dispatch reports on the church's second inclusion in the Buildings at Risk Bulletin. June 1998: Local planners report that ownership of the church is now disputed following the liquidation of the owner's company, and the church rests with the Queen and Lord Treasurers' Remembrancer. The building's fabric remains sound. 26 November 1998: The Forfar Dispatch publishes comment on the current condition of the church. 11 February 1999: Press reports state that Angus Council has allocated £9,000 towards making the church wind and watertight and removing nesting pigeons. Local planners are in discussions with receivers for the previous owner and a potential developer, although there are concerns that wrangles over ownership may delay the church's rehabilitation. Remedial repair works are unlikely to occur before a final attempt is made to reconcile the parties. March 2002: Angus Council has carried out works to make the building wind and watertight. November 2003: Local planners report that they have received no approaches with regards to the church's alteration or development. May 2005: Local Planners report no change.

February 2007: Planning permissions for change of use for the former hall attached to the church, to health and fitness studio/ general purpose hall were approved in Feb 2007.

January 2009: External inspection finds the former church remains vacant and boarded up.

February 2011: Local planners forward a copy of the revised boundary of Forfar conservation area - St James Church now lies within the designated area. Record updated accordingly.

29 October 2012: External inspection finds no significant change from the previous site visit. STV News reported in Jan 2009 that the owner of the building had pled guilty to a charge of allowing the production of cannabis in the property in 2007. The article notes the owner seldom accessed the property which he used for the storage of motorbikes.

21 June 2016: External inspection finds the building remains in much the same condition as seen previously.