Full list of churches and halls in Fife set to close as part of radical reform

As many as 52 Fife churches and halls could close under major restructuring plans drawn up by the Church of Scotland.

The Courier has been given a full list of sites that could be disposed of by the church as part of a major shake-up.

If the closures are approved, it would see the number of buildings being used by the church reduced by 38% across the kingdom.

The buildings could either be sold off or leased but it is thought many would be protected from major redevelopment by their listed status.

We previously revealed how 900-year-old St Fillan’s Church in Aberdour is one of the sites identified, along with Culross Abbey – which is more than 800 years old – St Monans Church and Burntisland Church.

While the ruins at Culross are under the care of Historic Environment Scotland, the functioning church remains under Church of Scotland jurisdiction.

News that the church could get rid of its Culross site has been met with dismay by locals.

Diane Mackenzie, secretary of Culross Community Council, says selling off the abbey would be “a travesty”.

She said: “The first we knew of the proposals that may see Culross Abbey disposed of was when we read (about) the closure of St Fillan’s in The Courier.

“The abbey is a key attraction at the start of Fife Pilgrim Way and the very reason why Culross exists as a village.

“To merely discard more than 800 years worth of history would be a travesty.

“There has been no engagement by the Church of Scotland with the Culross community regarding the abbey’s future and we have urgent questions regarding the criteria that has been used to devise the fate of each church.”

Shortage of ministers a key factor

Church of Scotland agreed at its National Assembly in 2019 to push on with reform and, while it says a period of consultation is under way with individual congregations, a final decision must be taken by the end of 2022.

New networks, hubs and other new local church structures will be developed, it says.

The shortage of ministers is also a significant factor influencing the need for change.

The Church of Scotland had just 34 newly qualified ministers in 2021 to fill about 240 vacant ministerial posts.

Communities have changed and populations have shifted… needs have changed, and we have to change with them.”

Fife Presbytery

Neil Campbell, mission director for Fife Presbytery, said: “It’s vital in these challenging times that the church continues to have a presence in our communities and offers much-needed resources.

“We have a fantastic heritage of churches across Fife, but communities have changed and populations have shifted.

“Needs have changed, and we have to change with them.”

Closures ‘a mockery of what the church stands for’

On Tuesday, about 150 Aberdour residents packed into St Fillan’s Church to discuss plans for its disposal.

Elder Willie Crowe says the Church of Scotland’s plans favour modern buildings over historic sites.

He said: “It would be a mockery of what the church stands for to lock the door.

“The audit has been set up for old churches to fail as they are historic buildings and not multi-functional hubs.

“St Fillan’s is 900 years old and has survived this long.

“I and a great many within the Aberdour community want to ensure it continues for another 900 years more.”

Full list of buildings earmarked for possible closure

Levenmouth cluster:

Buckhaven Church/Hall, Kennoway Hall, Windygates Church, Windygates Hall.

Burntisland and Kinghorn cluster:

Burntisland Church, Kinghorn Kirk By The Sea.

Cupar cluster: 

Ceres Church, Kemback Church, Cupar Old Church, Monimail Church, Dairsie Church.

Cowdenbeath and Lochgelly cluster:

Kinglassie Church, Auchtertool Church, Trinity Crossgates Church, Trinity Crossgates Hall, Auchterderran Church.

Dunfermline Town cluster:

Dunfermline North Church, St Leonards Church/Hall, Kingseat Church.

Forth Valley cluster:

North Queensferry Church, North Queensferry Hall, Aberdour St Fillan’s Church.

West Fife cluster: 

Carnock Church, Culross Abbey, Saline Church.

East Neuk cluster: 

Crail Church, Arncroach Hall, Carnbee Church, Pittenweem Church, Pittenweem Hall, Elie Church, Kilconquhar Church, St Monans Church, Toll Green Hall, Largo Church, Largo Stables, Largoward Church, Kingsbarns Church/Hall, Kilrenny Church.

Eden Tay cluster:

Strathmiglo Church, Falkland Church, Kettle Church/Hall, Ladybank Church, Newburgh Church.

Glenrothes cluster:

Markinch Hall, Thornton Hall.

North Fife cluster: 

Balmerino Church, Balmerino Hall, Wormit Church, Creich Church.

Kirkcaldy cluster:

Kirkcaldy Viewforth Church, Kirkcaldy Viewforth Hall.

St Andrews cluster:

No planned closures.