St John's Church, Inverkeithing
| St John's Church | |
|---|---|
St John's Church building (2009) | |
| Location | Church Street, Inverkeithing |
| Built | 1752 |
Listed Building – Category B | |
| Official name | 58, 60 Church Street, Inverkeithing Parish Church (St John's building; Church of Scotland) including adjoining hall and offices, boundary walls and railings |
| Designated | 19 December 1979 |
| Reference no. | LB35113 |
St John's Church is a former church building in Inverkeithing in Fife, Scotland. Originally built in 1752 as a Burgher chapel, it is a Category B listed building, noted by Historic Scotland as playing "a significant part in the development of Inverkeithing's socio-religious history".[1]
History
St John's Church was built in 1752 following a split within the congregation of Inverkeithing Parish Church over the choice of a minister by right of patronage. 127 parishioners left, and St John's church was built as a Burgher chapel.[2][3]
With growing attendance, in 1799 the building was widened, heightened, and had galleries added. By the 1830s, the congregation at St John's Church comprised roughly half the burgh's population.[2] The church was renovated in 1882.[4]
The longest serving minister of St John's church was Reverend Ebenezer Brown, who served from 1780 to 1835.[3]
In 2006, St John's church was united with Inverkeithing Parish Church. The building was sold to a private buyer in 2022.[1][5]
Incarnations
Founded as a Burger chapel, by 1779, a protracted dispute over the first minister of the Church led to a large part of the church becoming Cameronian.[1] Later incarnations of the church are as follows:
- Associate Congregation c. 1786 - 1820
- United Associate (Secession) Congregation 1820 - 1847
- United Presbyterian Church 1847 - 1900
- United Free Church in 1900 - 1929
- Church of Scotland in 1929 - 2022.[1]
Listed Status
In December 1979, St John's Church was awarded category B listed status by Historic Scotland. In their statement of special interest, they note the church: "... plays a significant part in the development of Inverkeithing's socio-religious history, with particular relevance to its status as a royal burgh and reflects the staunchness of its citizens." and also that "apart from some internal improvements, this church has not changed significantly since its major additions of the late 18th century."[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e "58, 60 CHURCH STREET, INVERKEITHING PARISH CHURCH (ST JOHN'S BUILDING; CHURCH OF SCOTLAND) INCLUDING ADJOINING HALL AND OFFICES, BOUNDARY WALLS AND RAILINGS (LB35113)". portal.historicenvironment.scot. Archived from the original on 2025-01-30. Retrieved 2026-02-26.
- ^ a b "St John’s, Church Street, Inverkeithing". sacredlandscapesoffife. [email protected]. 1750. Retrieved 2026-02-26.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ a b "St John's Church in Inverkeithing has its origins in an eighteenth-century burgher congregation. In 1847 the congregation of St John's joined the United Presbyterians. The congregation later became Church of Scotland. The building now serves as the parish church for Inverkeithing. (Credit: Graeme Smith / Wikimedia)". fifecoastalzone.org. Bess Rhodes. Retrieved 2026-02-26.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ J Gifford, BUILDINGS OF SCOTLAND: FIFE (1988) p247. HISTORY OF ST JOHN'S CHURCH BUILDINGS, INVERKEITHING, notes compiled by C Morris, Church Elder (1990s)
- ^ "St. John's Church And Halls, Church Street, Inverkeithing, KY11 1LJ | Property history | Terraced | ESPC". espc.com. Retrieved 2026-02-26.