In the previous Reflection we heard how a person who lived in Burntisland had a major effect of the church in Scotland with the formation of the Free Church in 1843 – this had repercussions in Aberdour.
Between 300 and 400 members left the Parish church to join the Free Church. In 1845 the new church, St. Colme’s, and manse were built on the south side of the High Street opposite the Woodside Garage. Over time improvements were made to the church and a small hall was built.
In 1900 with the union of the Free Church and the United Presbyterian Church, St. Colme’s became a United Free Church.
In 1914 the Rev. Robert Johnstone came to Aberdour as the Parish Minister – under his term there was a temporary union between the two churches.
In 1940 St Fillan’s, St Colme’s United Free Church and Dalgety were united with Rev. Johnstone’s help.
Later, Rev. David Stalker (1940 – 1948) the first minister of the united parish and congregations was followed by the Rev. Dr David Rutherford (1949 – 1975) who continued to preach in each of the churches until St Colme’s United Free Church was closed in 1958 and demolished in 1964.
Today we hear a lot about unions and churches closing – we can see this in not a new phenomena.