Overview
St John's Church is a former church building in Inverkeithing in Fife, Scotland. Originally built in 1752 as a Burgher chapel, it is a Category B listed building, noted by Historic Scotland as playing "a significant part in the development of Inverkeithing's socio-religious history".
History
In 1752 a split occurred within the congregation of Inverkeithing Parish Church over the choice of Andrew Richardson as minister by right of patronage; the dispute became known as the Inverkeithing Case. Following Richardson's eventual appointment as minister, 127 parishioners left, and St John's Church was built as a Burgher chapel. With growing attendance, in 1799 the building was widened, heightened, and had galleries added. By the 1830s, the congregation at St John's Church comprised roughly half the burgh's population. . The longest serving minister of St John's church was Reverend Ebenezer Brown, who served from 1780 to 1835.
Incarnations
Founded as a Burger chapel, by 1779, a protracted dispute over the first minister of the Church led to a large part of the church becoming Cameronian. Later incarnations of the church are as follows: * Associate Congregation c. 1786 - 1820 * United Associate (Secession) Congregation 1820 - 1847 * United Presbyterian Church 1847 - 1900 * United Free Church in 1900 - 1929 * Church of Scotland in 1929 - 2022.
Listed Status
In December 1979, St John's Church was awarded category B listed status by Historic Scotland. In their statement of special interest, they note the church: "... plays a significant part in the development of Inverkeithing's socio-religious history, with particular relevance to its status as a royal burgh and reflects the staunchness of its citizens." and also that "apart from some internal improvements, this church has not changed significantly since its major additions of the late 18th century."