Dunfermline presbyteries face merger in buildings review.

Commission will investigate whether buildings are ‘fit for purpose’

A review of church buildings in the Dunfermline area is being conducted in a Kirk overhaul likely to result in Fife’s three presbyteries being merged.

The Church of Scotland revealed the conditions and locations of its buildings in Dunfermline Presbytery are being looked at as it seeks to make best use of resources.

In May, the General Assembly approved a “radical” action plan to modernise the Church amid declining congregation numbers.

This includes ensuring land and buildings are well equipped and in the right places.

A report on the Dunfermline findings is expected to be published in February and a plan devised.

As the Church slashes the number of presbyteries, those of Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy and St Andrews are to be expected to be replaced with a single Fife-wide body.

The Rev Dr George Whyte, principal clerk of the Church of Scotland, said: “Following the instruction of the 2019 General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the number of presbyteries across Scotland will reduce from 43 to 12 by 2024.

“It is expected that the 2020 General Assembly of the Church of Scotland will receive a report recommending that the Presbytery of Fife will be formed out of the presbyteries of Dunfermline, St Andrews and Kirkcaldy.

“This is about churches pooling their resources across a wider area so that congregations are well supported.

“Separately the Presbytery of Dunfermline has appointed a special commission to ensure the best possible stewardship of its resources.”

Dunfermline Presbytery clerk the Rev Iain Greenshields said congregations had contributed to the special commission.

He said: “Set against a backdrop of wider reforms within the Church of Scotland, this year the Presbytery of Dunfermline began a special commission looking at how we can adapt for the 21st Century and ensure the best possible stewardship of our resources to support our mission work.

“A consultation was held with each of our congregations, which provided our church members with the chance to pass on their thoughts during this process.

“We have particularly looked at whether buildings are fit for purpose, in the right place and in a good condition.

“The special commission will report back with its initial findings in February.

“We will continue to meet with church congregations as a plan for the future is formed.”

This is about churches pooling their resources across a wider area. THE REV DR GEORGE WHYTE