Charity no. SC042128 |
Kirkcaldy Old Kirk Trustmaintaining Kirkcaldy's heritage for the communityPast and PresentKirkcaldy Old Kirk Trust was set up in 2010 by a group of local people concerned to preserve the heritage of Kirkcaldy contained in the Old Kirk, after its closure as a place of worship by the Church of Scotland on 7th November 2010. The "B" listed church was put up for sale in August 2011 and Kirkcaldy Old Kirk Trust was successful in acquiring it to maintain it for community use as a concert hall, community resource, heritage centre and for continuing worship. This was due to the generous financial support from John Sim, whose father was Minister of the Old Kirk. It is hoped thus to preserve the heritage of continuous worship and service for over 800 years. Kirkcaldy Old Kirk is the site of the first Christian worship in Kirkcaldy after the Celtic missionaries brought the faith here in the 7th century. The first written record of the Kirk is in 1244 when the Roman Catholic Bishop de Bernham consecrated the building to St. Patrick and St. Brisse (St. Bryce) but we know there was a Celtic church there before that. The ancient tower dates from the 15th century. Many famous and ordinary Kirkcaldy folk are part of this church and town's history and are buried in the surrounding graveyard. Adam Smith was christened as an infant here, and Rev. George Gillespie, an author of the Westminster Confession of Faith, lies underneath the Kirk. After over 800 years of continuous Christian worship and service to the community at the heart of the town, we in the Trust are seeking to retain this beautiful building for the benefit of the community. We want to preserve that heritage and continue that tradition. Present and Future After 10 years of ownership by the Trust, Kirkcaldy Old Kirk has grown into a busy centre for musical events, drama, business meetings and conferences, while retaining Christian worship by local groups every week. For details of what's on, please consult our Latest News below. To hire the Kirk for an event, please leave your enquiry on the contact email form and someone will get back to you as soon as possible. Visitors are welcome to view the magnificent stained glass windows by a range of quality artists from Burne-Jones to Crear McCartney, and usually to climb the 15th century tower for spectacular views of the town and Firth of Forth. However after 5 years of fundraising and Covid delays, the Tower Restoration Project has started up at the end of March 2022 and the tower is closed for repair and restoration until September 2022. You can still take a virtual tour below! Forthcoming EventsWe are delighted to announce that we can now host events or concerts with a live audience of up to 400 people. We know many people have been looking forward to the time these can resume! For those who are still cautious, we would like to reassure you that all hygiene measures remain in place for your safety and security and face coverings are required unless you are exempt. Please sanitise your hands on entry. We encourage and will facilitate our audiences to maintain 1 metre social distancing with other groups in the Kirk where possible.Next Organ Recitals - 7th. and 21st. May 2022 Kirkcaldy Old Kirk Trust is pleased to announce that the next Lunchtime Recital in Kirkcaldy Old Kirk will be a celebration of the Bicentenary of Cesar Franck on Organ and piano by Nancy Crook, a former Organist of the Old Kirk, on Saturday 7th May 2022 at 12 noon, followed by a light buffet lunch at 1pm. Entry is by donation (a minimum of £8 is suggested, please). Later in the month, on Saturday 21st May 2022, Henry Wallace, Organist at Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh, will play a programme of organ music of his choice at 12 noon in the Old Kirk, followed by a light lunch. We have been re-establishing organ recitals since lockdown. Nancy Crook started the proceedings on Saturday 3rd July 2021 playing Bach, Widor and several surprising but familiar signature tunes!
Kirkcaldy Old Kirk Trust was delighted to welcome Robin Bell to the Old Kirk organ on Saturday 29th January 2022. Robin was the inspiration to start the popular Organ Recital series. He chose to reflect Epiphany with a Scottish connection in the Bard's birthday month. [programme]Kirkcaldy Gilbert & Sullivan : Yeomen of the Guard IT IS WITH MUCH REGRET THAT WE HAVE TO ANNOUNCE KIRKCALDY GILBERT & SULLIVAN'S PRODUCTION OF "THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD" HAS HAD TO BE POSTPONED AT SHORT NOTICE DUE TO COVID AMONG THE PRINCIPALS & CAST. THE PRODUCTION HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 15 - 17. For people who have purchased tickets, your tickets will carry over to be used in September, or if you prefer, please contact Lia on 07870 901606 or email: kgass@hotmail.co.uk for a refund. Donations to Kirkcaldy Old Kirk Trust are always welcome
Join us!We welcome your contribution to our efforts, whether it be financial, as a volunteer helper, as a community organisation interested in using the Old Kirk or in hiring it as a performance space. If you would like to become a Friend of the Old Kirk and receive news of the Trust's progress please support us with a donation on the Paypal button above and contact us on the link opposite. |
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