A landmark Perthshire church, which is being vacated by its congregation amid mounting maintenance costs, could be converted into a private family home.
The 127-year-old Riverside Methodist Church in Rattray went on the market last year after members took the difficult decision to move out.
Church leaders said they could no longer afford the upkeep and running costs of the 200-capacity building, which is well known for its spectacular, stained glass window.
Now selling agents have confirmed that the building is under offer.
The Courier understands the new owner hopes to transform the church into a private home and a planning application is expected to be lodged in the coming weeks.
A spokesman for the congregation said: “Following a closing date set last week, the Methodist church building is now under offer.
“The trustees are happy that the future of the building has been secured and they are looking ahead to meeting in other suitable premises in the area.”
The congregation, which has continued to meet at the church, is now planning a closing service and organ recital before they leave the building for good.
Minister the Rev John Butterfield said: “This beautiful building has been the home for Methodist congregation in Blairgowrie and Rattray for over 100 years, but it is now time to move on.
“The Methodist church has played an important part in the community life of the locality and has been involved ecumenically with other local churches. We hope that this involvement will continue.”
The stained glass window, installed in the 1920s as a tribute to the First World War Labour Corps, is likely to be retained. The organ, however has already been sold, and is to be installed at a church in Spain.
The Scottish Redundant Churches Trust, an organisation which was formed to save churches at risk, said that a drop in the number of people attending church, coupled with the cost of maintaining ageing buildings, had placed a “huge burden” on congregations like Riverside.