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Ruined Churches

Ruined Churches  

Over the centuries many churches in Fife have closed. Sometimes former religious buildings were adapted to new uses. However, historically the commonest fate for redundant churches was either demolition or gradual ruination. Fife has a significant number of ruined medieval and early modern churches. Some of these older places of worship were abandoned at the Reformation. Others fell into ruin during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.  

Old parish church, Forgan. The congregation at Forgan left this church for a new building in the 1840s. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
Old parish church, Forgan. The congregation at Forgan left this church for a new building in the 1840s. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
Remains of compound pier, Lindores Abbey. The Tironesian abbey at Lindores was sacked in 1559. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
Remains of compound pier, Lindores Abbey. The Tironesian abbey at Lindores was sacked in 1559. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
Old church, Newburn. In the nineteenth century the congregation at Newburn moved to a new building – itself now converted into a house. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
Old church, Newburn. In the nineteenth century the congregation at Newburn moved to a new building – itself now converted into a house. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
St Rule’s Church, St Andrews. The Romanesque church of St Rule was abandoned at the Reformation. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
St Rule’s Church, St Andrews. The Romanesque church of St Rule was abandoned at the Reformation. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
The ruined cathedral, St Andrews. St Andrews Cathedral was attacked by Reformers in 1559. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
The ruined cathedral, St Andrews. St Andrews Cathedral was attacked by Reformers in 1559. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
The old parish church, Abdie. The congregation at Abdie moved to a new church in the 1820s. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
The old parish church, Abdie. The congregation at Abdie moved to a new church in the 1820s. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
Remains of the chapter house at Balmerino Abbey. This Cistercian monastery closed at the Reformation. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
Remains of the chapter house at Balmerino Abbey. This Cistercian monastery closed at the Reformation. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
Former chapel, Earlsferry. The date at which this chapel closed is uncertain. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
Former chapel, Earlsferry. The date at which this chapel closed is uncertain. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
Former parish church, Flisk. The old church at Flisk closed in the 1970s. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
Former parish church, Flisk. The old church at Flisk closed in the 1970s. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
St Serf’s Tower, Dysart. The medieval church of St Serf closed in the nineteenth century when the congregation moved to a new site. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
St Serf’s Tower, Dysart. The medieval church of St Serf closed in the nineteenth century when the congregation moved to a new site. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
St Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Elie. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
St Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Elie. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
Our Lady Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church, Tayport. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
Our Lady Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church, Tayport. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
St George’s Church, East Wemyss. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
St George’s Church, East Wemyss. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
Decorative finial, Newburgh Parish Church. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
Decorative finial, Newburgh Parish Church. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
St Agatha’s Roman Catholic Church, Methil. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
St Agatha’s Roman Catholic Church, Methil. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
Former Salvation Army building, St Andrews. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
Former Salvation Army building, St Andrews. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
Baptist Church, Buckhaven. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
Baptist Church, Buckhaven. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
Wellesley Parish Church, Methil. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
Wellesley Parish Church, Methil. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
Church of God, Buckhaven. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
Church of God, Buckhaven. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
Coastline Community Church, Pittenweem. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)
Coastline Community Church, Pittenweem. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)

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Navigate to the Sacred Sites and Historic Parishes sections for an in-depth exploration of Ruined Churches  in Fife.

Sacred Sites

Medieval Churches

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Parish church, Kingsbarns. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)

Early Modern Churches

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Our Lady Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church, Tayport. (Credit: B. Rhodes / University of St Andrews)

Post-1900 Churches

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Expand your horizons and explore other galleries for a broader glimpse into the diverse array of churches from various periods awaiting discovery.

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