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Community Rallies to Save Historic Wamphray Church
1 Feb
Summary
- Campaigners aim to raise £35,000 by July 8 to buy Wamphray Church.
- The church has links to Russian royalty and potentially St Cuthbert.
- Dwindling congregations lead Church of Scotland to sell over 100 properties.
Supporters of Wamphray Church, located near Beattock in the south of Scotland, are actively campaigning to purchase the historic building for community use. They aim to secure the property by raising a minimum of £35,000 before it is offered for sale on the open market by the Church of Scotland on July 8. This sale is part of a larger divestment of over 100 properties across southern Scotland due to diminishing church attendance.
The Friends of Wamphray Church group is in the process of establishing itself as a charity to facilitate the fundraising efforts. The church is notable for its significant historical connections, including a family crypt linked to the Russian Imperial Court, belonging to Dr. John Rogerson, physician to the Emperor of Russia. Furthermore, archaeological evidence suggests a link to St. Cuthbert, with Anglo-Saxon artifacts discovered nearby dating back to the 7th century.
Community leaders and heritage experts believe Wamphray Church's rich history offers considerable potential for integration into regional tourist trails and pilgrimage routes. The site itself is believed to have been a gathering place for millennia, potentially predating the current structure. If successful, this community acquisition would follow similar successful buyouts of churches in the south of Scotland last year.
