Carnbee Church

A tiny old church, located in a very small quiet village, sadly under threat of closure, like many others in the area, from the Church of Scotland. Interesting Lorimer wood carving, peaceful graveyard, with wonderful views.
Apr 10th, 2023

Beautiful church with excellent views towards Bass Rock.
Apr 20th, 2022

Beautiful location views to bass Rock
Oct 24th, 2021

Nov 22nd, 2020

This church was constructed in 1793 by Andrew Horsburgh, probably using the fabric of a previous church on the site (Site 10554). It is a rectangular, six-bay building with a session house to the west. The church is aligned east-west and sits on a promontory above a small burn. There is a graveyard to the south which is older than the present building, which lies at the east end of the village of Carnbee on the shoulder of a hill, looking south over agricultural land to Ovenstone, Pittenweem, and the Firth of Forth. The graveyard to the north is still being used for burials. Description (interior) From the entrance at the north-west corner the layout of the church is clear, with a sanctuary area at the east end of the building formed by a small square pulpit in front of a carved oak screen beneath a twin lancet stained glass window. There are two blocks of pews on either side of a central aisle and the communion table stands in front of the minister's chair, flanked by two elders' chairs. There is a wooden lectern on the north side and two flags are displayed in the north-east corner. Commemorative plaques are mounted on the walls beside the pulpit. The ceiling is completed by a decorative plaster frieze and the church is lit by suspended oil lamps which have been converted to use electric power. Description (exterior) The church is rectangular, with a bellcote on the west gable and a cross finial on the east. The church is built of sandstone with a slate roof. The south wall faces over the graveyard. It has four round arched windows of coloured glass. The only feature of the north elevation is a single, square window at the east corner. A large rectangular patch of masonry in the centre of the wall suggests a demolished extension which was possibly associated with the earlier church at Carnbee, perhaps with the remains of the south wall. Memorial plaques have been mounted low down on the east wall. The main entrance to the church is in the west wall, and doors at each end give access to the galleries.. There is at the west end a tall distinctive bellcote spire (much resembling that at Auchtermuchty), its bell still in place. There is a small blocked circular opening beneath this, and in the centre of the wall is a stained glass window with a prominent keystone. A sandstone session house is situated on the corner to the west of the church. It is entered through a square-headed door and has a square-headed window in its south face.
Jan 1st, 2021