A TOTAL of nine churches have been listed for potential closure in West Fife.

The Church of Scotland has compiled a list of 51 churches in Fife, nine of which are in the West Fife area, which may have to shut as part of plans for a wider reform that will see presbyteries in Scotland reduce from 43 to 12.

Last week, the Press reported that more than 150 villagers attended a meeting called in Aberdour to help save St Fillan's.

Now, it's emerged that, in addition, worship sites also listed for potential closure, sale or let in the West Fife area include Dunfermline North Church, St Leonard’s Church and Halls, Kingseat, Carnock, Culross Abbey, Saline Church, North Queensferry Church and North Queensferry Church Hall.

Closures and reductions have had to be considered due to financial pressures that have been exacerbated by COVID.

A spokesperson for the Church of Scotland told the Press: “Fife Presbytery, like all Church of Scotland presbyteries, has launched a consultation on a draft mission plan which will determine how limited resources should be allocated to congregations over a five-year period.

“This is a work in progress and subject to amendment, but change is necessary in order to deliver sustainable and realistic new expressions of ministry and church and ensure all buildings are suitable for 21st century mission needs.

“Discussions are ongoing, and the final plan must be agreed by Fife Presbytery, the Faith Nurture Forum and the General Trustees by the 31st of December 2022.”

Councillor David Barratt, who represents the Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay ward, attended the meeting to try to save St Fillan’s and told the Press: "I do think it is a little short-sighted, the way that the Church has gone about this.

"I know that they have got challenges and they need to try and identify ways that they can change the structure of their Church and what assets they want to continue with, but the way that they have assessed it and got to this point is wrong.

"This represents, potentially, a massive change in to the communities that they are. The Church doesn't exist in isolation, they are part of the wider community and I think that they need to speak to those communities before making any decisions. I appreciate that they are saying that these are just draft proposals, and it will go out to further consultation, but it’s not how it feels.

"I think a lot of people are fearful that these proposals will very rapidly become quite firm proposals and that there won’t be much going back from it."