Nairn Rosebank Parish Church (Former), Academy Street, Nairn

Romanesque style church in coursed rubble with broached and polished ashlar dressings, extending to 5 bays on a rectangular-plan. The gabled north front features a pair of doors under a wide round arch decorated with bands of Romanesque moulding. A triple-light window sits above behind an intersecting double arcade. A small wheel window sits in the gablehead, surmounted by a tall apex bellcote. The outer bays are divided by simple masonry piers with tall, round-arched shafted windows. The long 5 bay elevation is similarly fenestrated. The steep slate roof features a gablet finial, whilst the south apex features an end stack.

An inscription over the door reads "United Presbyterian Church founded 8th October 1851". (Historic Scotland)

14 June 1988: The Nairnshire Telegraph reports that the church has lain empty since it was purchased by Highland Regional Council 9 years ago with the intention of converting it into a library. The church originally became redundant with the merger of the Rosebank and High Church congregations in 1974. It is now affected by dry rot, and repairs are estimated at £13,000. Demolition is being mooted. 23 August 1988: The Highland News reports that although the church is being advertised for sale, several potential restorers have been deterred by the high estimated costs of restoration. The church is affected by woodworm and is not wind or watertight. Consultants have previously ruled out conversion to sheltered housing. The adjoining church hall remains in the ownership of St Ninian's Church, which was formed by the merger of the 2 earlier congregations. 23 March 1990: The Aberdeen Press and Journal reports that restoration has now been costed at £77,000. Officials are now proposing to market the church nationally, and then to apply for demolition consent if no purchasers are forthcoming. 28 July 1990: The Lochaber News reports that the Highland Clan Association has applied for a change of use to a cultural centre and is planning to spend £100,000 on repairs. Local planners are recommending approval. 31 July 1990: The Nairnshire Telegraph repeats the story. 15 May 1991: Press reports note that Nairn District Council has rejected a request to grant fund the project. October 1994: Starlion Developments seeks outline permissions for a change of use to disabled flats with parking on the ground floor. 11 February 1995: The Nairnshire Telegraph reports that local planners and the roads department are against the plans. 18 February 1995: The Highland News reports on opposition to the plans. October 1995: Modified proposals are submitted. April 1996: Outline Planning Permission is granted for conversion into flats. December 1996: Ownership of the church is transferred to Glassmore Group Ltd and the building is auctioned, though its reserve of £70,000 is not reached. 6 May 1997: The Nairnshire Telegraph reports that Highland Council is now considering serving a Repairs Notice. The asking price for the church has been dropped to £55,000. September 1997: Listed Building Consent is sought for conversion into flats and car parking. SCT objects. November 1997: Agents for the owners report that regular inspections are carried out. The church remains for sale. Inspection reveals that the church suffers from stress cracks on the inner walls at the point where roof trusses meet their stone corbels. The wallplate has rotted and dropped and there is evidence of dry rot. 9 December 1997: The Nairshire Telegraph reports that local planners have recommended refusal on the grounds that the plans would damage the character and integrity of the building. Nairn River Community Council has also objected. 16 December 1997: The Nairnshire Telegraph reports that permissions have been refused. January 1998: The church is marketed via DM Hall. March 1998: An amended application is submitted. 7 April 1998: The Nairnshire Telegraph reports that permissions have been granted, though the decision will now be referred to the Secretary of State. 23 April 1999: The Inverness Courier reports on the church's inclusion in the Buildings at Risk Bulletin. December 1999: Agents for the owners report that a comprehensive scheme of repairs has been delayed due to the feudal superior failing to agree to a change of use of the feu. It is hoped that the matter will be resolved in early 2000 by the Scottish Lands Tribunal. The church remains for sale at £120,000. November 2000: External inspection reveals no apparent change to the building fabric. January 2001: Local planners report that a new agents' board has been erected on the church, which remains for sale at £125,000. 12 March 2002: The Nairnshire Telegraph reports that the Macraes of Strathglass Trust hopes to convert the church into 12 flats. The Trunk Roads Authority has objected and refused access from the development to the A96. 30 April 2002: The Nairnshire Telegraph reports that permissions have been refused. October 2002: Local planners report that another Nairn church has offered to salvage the stained glass windows and incorporate them into its own building. February 2003: Local planners report that a structural condition survey is awaited, on which a property value can be assessed.

July 2009: The Nairnshire Telegraph reports on plans by the current owner, Sheridan MacRae to apply for detailed planning permissions for conversion into 9 units, eventually for the rental market. The article goes on to report that two roof trusses are to be reinforced, and repairing guttering.

4 July 2009: Highland News reports that scaffolding has been erected at the church and it is understood that works to repair the roof are to be undertaken.

May 2010: A member of the public contacts SCT advising the property is being marketed for sale through the Nairn Property Centre at £110,000 as a development project with permission for conversion to 12 flats.

August 2010: Nairnshire Telegraph reports plans have been submitted for conversion of the church into nine apartments.

November 2011: External inspection finds scaffolding in place along both side elevations and work is underway to convert the church into flats. The roof has been stripped of its slates. Some window are boarded up and others have broken or missing panes. Planning and listed building consents for conversion to 9 flats was conditionally approved July 2010 ref: 10/02937/FUL & 10/02938/LBC Moved to Restoration in Progress.

5 July 2012: External inspection finds the roof has been stripped and the slates removed from site. No work has been taking place for several months. Moved back to At Risk.

27 June 2013: External inspection finds no significant change from the previous site visit. Risk level moved to Moderate as no further action has taken place since the last site visit.

29 September 2014: A member of the public advises the building is proposed for conversion to form a Children's Day facility, with a view to complete the development by May 2015. PSE Contractors is advised as having started decontamination in mid September and are progressing with roof works. Conversion works are intended to commence upon receipt of consent. Listed Building Consent for conversion to form daycare and a flat is under consideration at Highland Council ref: 14/03222/LBC.

9 September 2015: BARR is advised the roof has been reinstated and is now weathertight and rainwater goods have been repaired. Options into a new use for the building are being explored.

4 December 2018: A member of the public advises in March 1922 a war memorial in the form of an oak communion table and scroll with names of the fallen was installed in front of the pulpit.

25 June 2020: A member of the public advises building warrants for conversion to flats were issued in 2019. External stone and roof repairs have been undertaken to make the building watertight. Interior works are thought to have ceased as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic, but full conversion works were anticipated to be complete by late 2020. Condition moved to Fair.

15 February 2024: Inverness Courier reported 12/07/2022 works to convert the building into flats were to commence, initiated by Highland Concept and SJ Highland carrying out work