Future of Crail Kirk
Over the past months work has continued with the intention of better defining plans for Crail Church community and, in particular, for Crail Church building.
As a quick reminder, the Mission Plan approved by Fife Presbytery in 2022 proposed that Crail Parish Church, St Ayle Parish Church (Anstruther and Cellardyke already in union) and Pittenweem Parish Church join together in union to become one church. This new church to be administered by one Kirk Session.
Presently each church operates as a separate charity, each responsible for its own management and financial affairs. For several reasons discussions to implement this proposal did not commence until 2024. St Ayle and Pittenweem have held discussions on implementation of the plan, however Crail Kirk Session strongly believes that the existing linkage arrangement with St Ayle is the best option at the moment for Crail. The reasons for this have centered around the uncertainty over the future of Crail Church building.
With our existing linkage arrangement, costs are shared with St Ayle such as the minister’s stipend, travelling expenses and costs associated with the manse. However other costs such as heating, insurance and maintenance of the Kirk Hall and the church building are met by Crail Church.
The most recent discussions between St Ayle and Pittenweem have reached a positive conclusion, and it is proposed that a union of the two congregations will be effective from 1st January 2026. The new church will be called St Adrian’s.
In July, Crail Kirk Session met with members of the Presbytery Mission Plan Implementation Group (PMPIG) at which our Kirk Session requested that Crail form a linkage with the new church, St Adrian’s. This recommendation, which received the support of PMPIG, will be formally considered by Fife Presbytery at its September meeting. The intention is that this linkage would be effective from 1st February 2026. Discussions with St Adrian’s would be needed to agree the working of the new linkage and would be structured within a formula or template provided by PMPIG.
As it stands, the Presbytery Mission Plan categorises Crail Church building as ‘B’, meaning it is to be disposed of, with Sunday services being conducted in Kirk Hall. Session recently presented a paper to PMPIG outlining reasons for retention of the church building. This has been rejected, although a final decision about the building will not be taken until late 2026. The Kirk Session will continue to provide evidence that the building should be retained. We keep in mind that the Historic Buildings Group, set up by Fife Presbytery, did recommend that Crail Church building be retained - provided that the Kirk Session made a case for retention.
Should these efforts fail, and no other owner be found, it is understood that Crail Church building will be placed on the open market by December 2027.
This is a deeply concerning outlook and the Kirk Session has been strongly advised that it should urgently explore other options for the future of the building. With this in mind, the Kirk Session recently met with interested parties including Dennis Gowans, Lizzie Swarbrick, research officer (Finding Futures for Scotland’s Churches Project), Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, and Claire Martin, Churches Adviser, Development Trust Association Scotland (DTAS). One role of DTAS is to actively support groups who wish to take over church buildings, for use in the community. As a first step a grant application will be submitted by Crail Community Partnership (CCP) as Crail Church is not permitted to form, for example, a Trust or similar structure to acquire ownership of the building. However, this building is historically important, and it is an iconic part of Crail’s built heritage. The hope is that interested individuals/groups will come together to secure a future, which is for the community of Crail.
We have been strongly advised to seek advice about forming a trust to secure the future of the building. Please complete the form and leave a message of support below.
The church lies at the heart of Crail. It’s important that parishioners feel it belongs to them all - whether memebers of the church or not. It’s a beautiful building in good repair and a great deal of money was spent on it in the sixties to successfully remedy problems.
I was christened, attended Sunday School, Bible Class, taught Sunday School and was married in the church. Although not a regular attender I feel a very strong attachment to the building itself.
The organ is special and its wonderful that The East Neuk Festival believes it to be a wonderful venue for top-class musical performances.
The formation of a trust which would own and administer the building seems the best way forward and I’m sure that a large proportion of the parishioners would be willing to contribute financially. Grant funding may well be available.
Crail Church is special!! Apart from being of great historical importance, a beautiful construction and at the centre of the community it has an atmosphere that only special churches have. I have heard so many visitors say that they feel so calm and connected within the building - and many admit to not being of any faith. Personally, I can happily sit alone with my thoughts and prayers and have this same connection. Something I cant explain and not present in other churches I have attended. I was christened, joined the church and married here so perhaps I am biased but having seen the hard work that goes on by the elders, session and worship team I am devastated that it is even being considered for closure! I wonder how many of the Church of Scotland in George Street have actually been to Crail Kirk!! I dont get to worship every week at Crail - being a bit further away - but I get when I can and the online services are such a brilliant way to stay connected. Well done that team! A wee suggestion that you may not have considered to help with public attention. On BBC Scotland last night a bowling club had a section on the news that they may have to close and had supported a local football team for many years. It seemed a great way to get the message out there and may be worth considering - especially as the beautiful church organ has special connections to Michael Portillo. Lets pray and work together to save this Church for everyone - past, present and future.
Crail Church must be one of the most beautiful small churches in the country and should be kept for the use of the public.
It has been a place of worship for centuries, with many giving generously and sacrificially of their time and money to make it what it is now. All this must not be lost to us in the present-day and to future generations.
How anyone can think it is appropriate to close and sell it is a total mystery.
Crail church is one of the most beautiful and historic buildings in the East neuk. From a personal stand point, many of my family were married, including myself, baptised, myself and my children included, and took their last journey from there to the cemetery behind it. I have so many memories of our wonderful minister, reverend William Macintyre whilst growing up in the village who shared his knowledge and love of the history of our village and most especially the church and the graveyard. I truly hope this church can remain not only a part of history but also it's future that my grandchildren can carry on the baptism history of my family.
Crail Church is such an integral part of our community and the stunning building must not be lost to future generations. Even those who have no faith can be part of its future, by finding another use for the building, even if it can no longer be used as a centre for worship.
After retiring from his church in Aberdeen (St Ninians as was) my grandfather, Rev John McIlwraith, preached many times in Crail Church when the incumbent minister was away or ill. My sister and I spent every summer in Pittenweem and Crail and regularly attended Crail Church. As a student at St Andrews I would get the bus over to Crail on a Sunday and many years later I was married in the church and subsequently brought both my daughters from Yorkshire to be baptised in Crail Church. Annual holidays, many spent in Crail House, have included Sunday services and I attended the Guild Dedication Service on 5th October. Crail Church has been a huge part of my life and the lives of my children despite us living 250 miles away. Its historical significance is not in doubt, and as others have said, its acoustics and layout are wonderful. Whatever needs to be done to save this beautiful and important building for future generations should be done. It is heartbreaking to consider the possibility that it might be lost.
While Crail Kirk is of immense importance, both architectural and historic , as many have said, it is equally important as a community asset. Change is inevitable but losing this building , perhaps to developers is, frankly, unthinkable. The Kirk building itself provides one of the largest seating place in the East Neuk; it contains a historic organ and has a reputation for its acoustic quality. It is already well used for secular as well as religious use. I firmly believe it must be retained for Crail.
It’s hard to believe that such an iconic building should be under threat of closure. It has served the community of Crail for so many years and played a huge part in the lifes of its residents. There has to be a way of saving it for future use, whatever that might be.
Crail Church has been a huge part of my whole life, from Sunday School, bible class, first communicants instruction to my wedding, children’s baptisms and family funerals. I am heartbroken at the thought that this beautiful building may close and, worse, sold off. Why is Anstruther allowed to keep two? Crail church is by far the best in the area and should most definitely be retained.
Crail Church has been, literally, at the heart of this community for so many centuries. Its constant reassuring presence is valuable to many people who may not be able to show up every week. In an increasingly uncertain world, the visible presence of the Church in our everyday lives can only grow in importance.