Plea to townsfolk to help save Kirkcaldy Old Kirk
A campaign to save one of Kirkcaldy's most prominent historic buildings is set to gather pace in the coming weeks.
The Old Kirk.
- By Craig Smith
- Published in the Courier : 22.09.10
- Published online : 22.09.10 @ 06.27pm
Former church elder Rosemary Potter believes the Old Kirk in Kirk Wynd should remain part of the town's heritage once it closes as a place of worship later this year and is calling on townsfolk to rally round to keep it in the community.
Congregational trustees decided the Old Kirk, which was consecrated in 1244, will cease to be used for worship after November 7, given the financial health of the church and the Church of Scotland in general. That decision was a surprise to many locals as it came just months after the trustees suggested the Old Kirk should close within a 10-year timescale for the same reason.
Mrs Potter added that the closure comes just four years after around £240,000 was spent on bringing facilities up to date.
"It's a prominent historical building, it belongs to the town and it's one of the few historical buildings that we have left," she said. "I don't want to see it sold to some speculative property developer who would leave it to rot and nobody wants to see it fall into disrepair and be vandalised.
"It is effectively the mother church of all denominations in the town and there has been worship there before 1244. It's the town's oldest building in continuous use and we feel it's the town's church and should be used by the community.
"With all the history and all the background associated with the Old Kirk it should not be allowed to be used inappropriately. Nobody wants to see it used inappropriately — nor do we want it to lie empty," she added.
"It should be for the community and I'm calling on the townspeople to get behind the campaign and see what we can do."
As it stands November 7 will be the last day of worship at the Old Kirk and will be marked by the sacrament of communion in the morning and an evening thanksgiving service.
Financial predicament
The Old Kirk merged with St Brycedale Church 10 years ago when it was decided both buildings would be used on alternative Sundays for worship. However, running costs and the financial predicament of the Church of Scotland has led to the B-listed Old Kirk building being deemed surplus to requirements.
At the time of the announcement a spokesman for the trustees said the decision had not been taken lightly and had been reached with a "great deal of sadness and regret," adding, "It has been brought about by the financial state in which not only the local church but also the national church finds itself.
"St Bryce Kirk congregation has had the luxury of two buildings for worship over the past 10 years and committed a considerable amount on the modernisation of the Old Kirk, making it an excellent venue for worship and for concerts. However, the upkeep of ecclesiastical buildings is very costly and with the reduction of congregational numbers and revenue it has been necessary for the presbytery to review the whole picture as part of a national initiative."
Kirkcaldy Civic Society chairwoman Ann Watters said she was "appalled" at the decision to close the church and has supported plans to campaign for an alternative use for it. She also suggested that one potential use could be for it to become an extension to Kirkcaldy Museum as it contained a lot of material which had never been shown.
The building is expected to be marketed for sale by the General Trustees of the Church of Scotland.
Anyone who wants to lend their support to the campaign should contact Mrs Potter on 01592 265499.
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