The second draft of the Presbytery plan has been produced.
A reminder of the Presbytery Mission Plan Building Categories:
(A) To be retained beyond the five years from the date at which the Mission Plan is approved or annually reviewed
(B) To be sold, let or otherwise disposed of by a specified date which is within five years from the date at which the ecclesiastical building is first categorised as (B).
With regard to nearby churches, North Queenferry & St Leonards Dunfermline have been moved to A.
There has been consideration of historical churches:
The following churches are in category A – Dunfermline Abbey, Markinch Church, St Columba’s Church Glenrothes, Holy Trinity St Andrews, Leuchars Church.
The following churches are in category B – Burntisland Church, Cupar Old Church, St Fillan’s Church, Culross Abbey, Crail Church, Pittenween Church, St Monnan’s Church – see below.
Below is an extract for the Fife Presbytery Revised Draft May 2022 – Historic Churches
3.1 Fife Presbytery has a number of locally valued church buildings which are Historic Environment Scotland (HES) A listed, which bring with them unique issues in respect of maintenance, access etc. All church buildings should be assets for local mission. The Task Group recognises the sensitive nature of categorising historic church buildings and deep reservations that are held about categorising any of these buildings B. However, if historic church buildings are to be retained by the church then they should be used for mission beyond a Sunday morning – and not only as museums or tourist attractions.
3.2 In response to the first draft plan, some imaginative ideas have been suggested to develop historic buildings as assets for mission, drawing on their unique spiritual identities and seeking to connect the church of the future with our Christian legacy of the past. The Task Group appreciate the feedback and have listened carefully to the significant responses received and wish to encourage congregations with others to explore these missional ambitions. As the Presbytery Mission Plan is reviewed annually, historic church buildings currently categorised B could be reviewed if significant missional use and plans for the future can be demonstrated, and if any issues raised in the building surveys can be addressed.
3.3 The Task Group also acknowledges that in response to the consultation on the first draft plan, there was a significant reaction from local communities to proposals to categorise historic church buildings B. This has been interpreted by some as the church closing buildings of significant community importance with little consideration of community opinion. It has been described as “cultural vandalism”.
3.3 In the course of developing the first draft Presbytery Mission Plan, historic church buildings were given no preferential treatment from other church buildings. Categorisations were reached using the same criteria. Some argue that AMBA unfairly disadvantages historic church buildings due to accessibility challenges and/or lack of modern facilities.
3.4 It has become clear that disposing of HES A listed historic church buildings could be especially complicated. In a number of instances, where historic church buildings are categorised B local communities, historic groups or preservation societies could acquire, develop and sustain their presence. They may even continue to be used as places of worship. However, the Task Group recognises that this would require time, consultation and significant discussion.
3.5 In conclusion, considerations about historic church buildings pose important questions for the future mission of the church. There is significant interest from local communities and interest groups. Also, a firm passion and desire has been expressed that historic church buildings should be preserved, could continue to be used as places of worship, and could be developed as assets for mission. These issues should be explored in more detail.
3.6 Therefore, the Task Group recommends that:
- The Board of Mission establish a Historic Churches Working Group to theologically reflect on the missional and practical possibilities for developing historic churches as assets for mission, engage with the General Trustees, and submit a report for the 2023 PMP Review.
- Historic church building categories should be kept under review pending a report from the Historic Churches Working Group.
- Congregations are encouraged to explore and develop use of historic church buildings for mission.