Angus Robertson MSP is expected to meet with the officials in Edinburgh next month following concerns raised over the condition and maintenance of some of these sites.
The news of the meeting comes after it was revealed Dunfermline Abbey, where the bones of King Robert the Bruce are interred, is facing an £8 million bill to repair and upgrade the building.
The Herald understands church officials have already met with a government minister to discuss the Abbey’s future.
Asked whether ministers will intervene to support Dunfermline Abbey with repairs, the Scottish Government told The Herald there is a meeting due to take place with church officials.
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A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We are aware of the situation regarding the decline in the building condition of certain churches and the Culture Secretary is set to meet with the Church of Scotland to discuss the condition, maintenance and future of churches in Scotland.”
The Church of Scotland has said they hope the meeting will allow them to discuss how they will work in partnership with the government on issues impacting churches.
Rev Scott Rennie, vice-convener of the General Trustees of the Church of Scotland, said: “A number of Church of Scotland cathedral style buildings are valued highly for their architecture and history as well as being home to worshipping communities, which play a vital part in the life of Scotland.
“The purpose of the meeting we have arranged with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture in Edinburgh at the end of March is to start a genuine conversation with the Scottish Government about how we work together in partnership to ensure that we have a shared understanding around the costs and resources required to maintain these special buildings.
“We also need to consider ways we can work in partnership to secure these buildings as cultural and heritage assets for future generations in Scotland.”
Dunfermline Abbey currently receives no public funding and has set up a JustGiving page for donations to help fund repairs and upgrades.
Its minister Rev Dr MaryAnn Rennie said the current funding model they rely on is “unsustainable”.
Dr Rennie added: “We have a congregation of 425 and up until now, the burden has fallen on them to fund repairs and improvements as well as secure small grants from funding bodies such as The Carnegie (Dunfermline) Trust.”
There are also concerns for churches across Scotland and the rest of the UK after a grant to support churches had its funding cut by nearly half.
The UK Government recently reduced its Listed Places of Worship Grant scheme to £23 million for this year in comparison to £42 million the previous year.
The scheme gives grants towards VAT paid on repairs and renovations to the nation’s listed sites of worship.
Grants have also been capped at £25,000 which raises questions on whether the total cost of repairs will be covered at many sites.
The Church of Scotland said there are fears the announcement does not provide enough certainty or support to churches who need more time to plan and deliver repairs.
Rev Rennie previously said: “Unlike countries like Germany and France, the task of caring for and funding church buildings in the UK falls overwhelmingly on local people and this scheme is the only regular financial support that the UK Government provides to help the custodians of listed buildings, the effect being to refund the VAT that they have already paid to the Exchequer.
“It is already enormously challenging for congregations to raise the money needed for the repair of church buildings and we are concerned that this substantial reduction in the conservation fund will put the viability of many church buildings in doubt.
“I would urge Church of Scotland congregations with listed building status to make sure they apply for funding for repairs as early as they can.”
The UK Government has said they are glad they could extend the scheme for another year in spite of “tough fiscal challenges”.
UK Heritage Minister Sir Chris Bryant said: “There are many reasons to care for our faith buildings. They matter to faith communities, they provide a range of vital services to the public regardless of faith or background and many of them are architecturally stunning.
“I am delighted that despite the tough fiscal challenges we face, we are able to keep this scheme going for a further year to support faith buildings in every part of the country.”
