The former parish church in the village of Minnigaff is set to go under the hammer this month with a guide price of just £89,500.
Monigaff Parish Church, in Minnigaff, Newton Stewart, dates from 1836 and was built in the gothic revival style by the noted Scottish architect William Burn. The B-listed building, a former Church of Scotland, will feature in the next live-streamed national property auction held by SDL Property Auctions, part of Eddisons, on 27 November.
The church is being auctioned with planning consent already in place for conversion to a single home, which auctioneers say offers a unique opportunity to create a “one-of-a-kind residence” within a landmark building that forms an important part of the area’s architectural heritage.
Set in the heart of Minnigaff, the church is rich in historic detail. Among its many interesting features are two early cross slabs, one thought to date from the 8th century with Irish influence, ornate stained glass windows by Wailes of Newcastle and Ballantine of Edinburgh, and a church organ by Bryceson of London, believed to be one of the first installed in south-west Scotland in 1872. The surrounding grounds include the ruins of a 13th or 14th-century church, two 17th-century gravestones, and the sarcophagus of William Stewart, located on the site of an ancient motte and bailey castle.
Andrew Parker, partner and auctioneer at SDL Property Auctions, said: “This is a special property and a rare opportunity for someone to bring a much-loved and historic local landmark building back to life.
“Because it has planning consent already in place and has such a wealth of original character and features, it would be a superb project for anyone looking to create a remarkable home while preserving an important piece of the heritage of the village in this beautiful area of Scotland.”
The former church will feature in SDL Property Auctions’ live-streamed auction on 27 November. For further details, or to register to bid remotely online, by phone or by proxy, visit sdlauctions.co.uk.