{"id":3390,"date":"2025-01-28T11:58:39","date_gmt":"2025-01-28T11:58:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/?page_id=3390"},"modified":"2025-05-07T11:30:35","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T10:30:35","slug":"history-fire-stories","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/?page_id=3390","title":{"rendered":"History &#8211; Fire Stories"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kb-row-layout-id3390_7e2ce8-73 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id3390_7e2ce8-73 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id3390_7e2ce8-73 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id3390_7e2ce8-73 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id3390_7e2ce8-73 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id3390_7e2ce8-73 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id3390_7e2ce8-73 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column3390_6478c1-a2 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column3390_6478c1-a2 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column3390_6478c1-a2 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column3390_6478c1-a2 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column3390_6478c1-a2 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column3390_6478c1-a2 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column3390_6478c1-a2{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column3390_6478c1-a2 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column3390_6478c1-a2 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column3390_6478c1-a2\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">History &#8211; Fire Stories<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">On this page we present some reports from local and national newspapers on the fire which destroyed the original Church at 4am on 19th July 1975.  The stories are from the &#8220;<em>The Scotsman<\/em>&#8221; and the &#8220;<em>Fife Free Press<\/em>&#8220;.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column3390_6508f4-02 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column3390_6508f4-02 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column3390_6508f4-02 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column3390_6508f4-02 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column3390_6508f4-02 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column3390_6508f4-02 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column3390_6508f4-02{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column3390_6508f4-02 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column3390_6508f4-02 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column3390_6508f4-02\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"647\" src=\"https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/upinflames-1024x647.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3543\" style=\"width:604px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/upinflames-1024x647.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/upinflames-300x190.jpg 300w, https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/upinflames-768x485.jpg 768w, https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/upinflames.jpg 1147w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Picture taken by Californian visitor, Mr David B. Scott, a vice-president of a San Francisco insurance brokers company. Mr Scott left Kirkcaldy 20 years ago.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Kirkcaldy&#8217;s second major fire in less than 48 hours completely destroyed St. John&#8217;s Parish Church in Meldrum Road in a 4am blaze today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Firemen from Kirkcaldy, Thornton and Methil tackled the flames which leapt high above the beautiful 65-year-old building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">The church was well alight when smoke was spotted by Police Inspector John Black, returning from duty to his home in nearby Matthew Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">All surrounding streets were cordoned off as police alerted families in the surrounding houses in case they had to leave their homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Church members and local residents watched as the building disintegrated under a 200-foot pall of smoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Firemen kept the blaze from spreading to a garage next door and from the church hall. Then the north gable of the church collapsed &#8211; and fell through the hall roof. Firemen worked in danger of the other gable collapsing until a demolition squad was called in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">The minister, the Rev. Samuel McNaught, who came to St. John&#8217;s only in April, preached a sermon last Sunday on the beauties of the church which had been recently renovated and had a large stained glass window installed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Mr. McNaught, who recently moved to the town with his wife and their young son from Port Patrick, Wigtownshire, was shocked as he watched the flames. He said: &#8220;I am desolate, but there is more to a church than a building&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Police Step Up Hunt For Fire-Raiser<\/h1>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column3390_a4217f-b1 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column3390_a4217f-b1 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column3390_a4217f-b1 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column3390_a4217f-b1 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column3390_a4217f-b1 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column3390_a4217f-b1 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column3390_a4217f-b1{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column3390_a4217f-b1 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column3390_a4217f-b1 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column3390_a4217f-b1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/hunt-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3545\" style=\"width:628px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/hunt-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/hunt-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/hunt-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/hunt.jpg 1039w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Police have stepped up their hunt for a fire-raiser after the third mystery blaze to hit Kirkcaldy in three weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">The latest outbreak completely destroyed the Gothic-style St. John&#8217;s Parish Church &#8211; only 48 hours after fire gutted the major part of Torbain Primary School.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Damage to the church is estimated at over \u00a3250,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Just over three weeks before the latest outbreak, firemen managed to save St. Brycedale Church when flames swept through a hall at the rear of the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">As police and firemen sifted through the debris of St. John&#8217;s, which stood at the corner of Elgin Street and Meldrum Road, Fife&#8217;s Chief Constable, Mr Robert F. Murison, called a hasty meeting of representatives of other churches in the town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">He asked them to step up their supervision of their buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">An appeal to the public to help in the hunt for the fire raiser was made by the head of Fife CID, Detective Superintendent Tom Grieve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">He said: &#8220;In the case of both St. John&#8217;s Church and Torbain School, there are obvious indications that the properties were willfully set alight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">&#8220;It is difficult to say at this stage whether or not there is any connection between the two fires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">&#8220;Extensive police inquiries are being made, and CID and uniformed patrols are being stepped up during the hours of darkness.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Detective Superintendent Grieve added: &#8220;The person or persons responsible for these vicious acts of violence against properties must be caught.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">&#8220;I would ask any member of the public the come forward with any information which may be of assistance to the police in their inquiries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">&#8220;Any information will be treated in the strictest confidence&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Police are also anxious to trace four youths, aged between 16 and 20, who were seen in the vicinity of St. John&#8217;s less than two hours before the 4am blaze was spotted.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column3390_f7bde3-62 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column3390_f7bde3-62 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column3390_f7bde3-62 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column3390_f7bde3-62 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column3390_f7bde3-62 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column3390_f7bde3-62 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column3390_f7bde3-62{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column3390_f7bde3-62 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column3390_f7bde3-62 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column3390_f7bde3-62\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"701\" src=\"https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/fireraiser-1024x701.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3546\" style=\"width:616px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/fireraiser-1024x701.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/fireraiser-300x205.jpg 300w, https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/fireraiser-768x525.jpg 768w, https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/fireraiser.jpg 1032w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">The blaze at St. John&#8217;s in the early hours of Saturday morning was spotted by an off-duty police officer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Inspector John Black was on his way from Kirkcaldy Police Station to his home in Matthew Street when he saw the smoke and flames and raised the alarm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Five units of Fife Fire Brigade from Kirkcaldy, Thornton and Methil &#8211; including an 85-foot platform &#8211; raced to the scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">But although they managed to prevent the flames spreading to a nearby garage and houses in Meldrum Road, they were unable to save the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">At the height of the blaze, the gable wall collapsed and fell through the roof of the adjoining church hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Neighbouring householders &#8211; some of them members of the 1000-strong St. John&#8217;s congregation &#8211; were warned about the fire, but no-one had to be evacuated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Afterwards, police sealed off the area around the church as demolition workers moved in to make safe what remained of the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">The 32-year-old minister of St. John&#8217;s, the Rev. Samuel McNaught, came to Kirkcaldy from Wigtownshire only at the end of April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">After surveying the burned-out church, he said: &#8220;I am desolate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">&#8220;But there is more to a church than a building, and the life of the Church will continue.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Pictures of the Aftermath<\/h1>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id3390_7f138e-2b > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id3390_7f138e-2b > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id3390_7f138e-2b > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);}.kb-row-layout-id3390_7f138e-2b > .kt-row-column-wrap > div:not(.added-for-specificity){grid-column:initial;}.kb-row-layout-id3390_7f138e-2b > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:repeat(4, minmax(0, 1fr));}.kb-row-layout-id3390_7f138e-2b > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id3390_7f138e-2b > .kt-row-column-wrap > div:not(.added-for-specificity){grid-column:initial;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id3390_7f138e-2b > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:repeat(4, minmax(0, 1fr));}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id3390_7f138e-2b > .kt-row-column-wrap > div:not(.added-for-specificity){grid-column:initial;}.kb-row-layout-id3390_7f138e-2b > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id3390_7f138e-2b alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-4-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column3390_f4ef53-83 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column3390_f4ef53-83 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column3390_f4ef53-83 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column3390_f4ef53-83 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column3390_f4ef53-83 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column3390_f4ef53-83 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column3390_f4ef53-83{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column3390_f4ef53-83 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column3390_f4ef53-83 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column3390_f4ef53-83\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"772\" height=\"633\" src=\"https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/debris.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3548\" srcset=\"https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/debris.jpg 772w, https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/debris-300x246.jpg 300w, https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/debris-768x630.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 772px) 100vw, 772px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The debris-strewn remains of St. John&#8217;s. In the background is the huge hole in the roof of the hall caused by the collapse of the church gable wall.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column3390_6dba47-09 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column3390_6dba47-09 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column3390_6dba47-09 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column3390_6dba47-09 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column3390_6dba47-09 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column3390_6dba47-09 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column3390_6dba47-09{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column3390_6dba47-09 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column3390_6dba47-09 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column3390_6dba47-09\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"646\" src=\"https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/pillars-1024x646.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3549\" srcset=\"https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/pillars-1024x646.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/pillars-300x189.jpg 300w, https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/pillars-768x485.jpg 768w, https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/pillars.jpg 1038w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The massive pillars stand out starkly amidst the rubble.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column3390_891341-65 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column3390_891341-65 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column3390_891341-65 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column3390_891341-65 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column3390_891341-65 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column3390_891341-65 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column3390_891341-65{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column3390_891341-65 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column3390_891341-65 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column3390_891341-65\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"772\" height=\"633\" src=\"https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/debris.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3548\" srcset=\"https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/debris.jpg 772w, https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/debris-300x246.jpg 300w, https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/debris-768x630.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 772px) 100vw, 772px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The devastation of the church is complete, as vividly illustrated here.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column3390_247a2f-5a > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column3390_247a2f-5a > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column3390_247a2f-5a > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column3390_247a2f-5a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column3390_247a2f-5a > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column3390_247a2f-5a > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column3390_247a2f-5a{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column3390_247a2f-5a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column3390_247a2f-5a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column3390_247a2f-5a\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1020\" height=\"654\" src=\"https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/hall.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3550\" srcset=\"https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/hall.jpg 1020w, https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/hall-300x192.jpg 300w, https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/hall-768x492.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The gable wall of the church crashed through the roof of the hall.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Casket Recovered<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">The sealed casket of St. John&#8217;s, laid in the foundation stone in 1907, has been recovered intact from the ruins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">But what is inside will remain a mystery for the time being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">The minister, the Rev Samual McNaught, said: &#8220;I have deposited the casket unopened in a bank for safe keeping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">&#8220;It will be up to a meeting of church officials whether or not it is to be opened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">My idea would be that when the new St. John&#8217;s is built, the original casket should be placed along with a new one in the foundation stone.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">The casket was discovered amongst the ruins of St. John&#8217;s by demolition foreman Mr Tom Lawson of Kirkcaldy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Also recovered from the debris was a plaque bearing the names of the war dead of St. John&#8217;s, and a brass plate which marked the opening of the transept in 1959.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Christening Ceremony<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Mr McNaught preached his service on Sunday in the canteen of the nearby Meikle&#8217;s carpet factory.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"771\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/christening.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3552\" style=\"width:609px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/christening.jpg 771w, https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/christening-300x253.jpg 300w, https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/christening-768x647.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 771px) 100vw, 771px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Baby Heather Ann Shulenberger is held bt Mr. McNaught after the christening ceremony. With her are her parents, Mr and Mrs John Shulenberger<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Before a packed congregation, he christened 15-month-old Heather Ann Shulenberger &#8211; whose parents traveled 3000 miles to have her baptised at St. John&#8217;s &#8211; and described her as the &#8220;symbol of the new St. John&#8217;s&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Pledging that a new church would rise from the ashes of the old building, he told the congregation: &#8220;This christening is the one bright spot to cheer us up on this day.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Heather Anne&#8217;s parents, John and Ruth Shulenberger, traveled from Morrestow, New Jersey, so that their daughter could become the third generation of the family to be baptised in St. John&#8217;s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Mrs Shulenberger originally comes from Kirkcaldy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">The arrangements for the ceremony had been finalised only hours before the church was burned to the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Baptising Heather Ann from a silver bowl, Mr McNuaght said: &#8220;This young child has traveled thousands of miles to be baptised in St. John&#8217;s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">&#8220;While this place is a factory canteen, today it is St. John&#8217;s.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">In fact, the carpet factory building was where the congregation of St. John&#8217;s first began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Mr McNaught said: &#8220;The congregation began originally as a breakaway set from the old parish in Kirkcaldy, and the first group met in the same factory, which was then known as Wemyss Linen Works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">&#8220;We have now temporarily gone back to our birthplace.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Sunday services will be held in the factory canteen for the next few weeks, until other arrangements can be made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">St. John&#8217;s was founded in September, 1907, the memorial stone being laid by the then Moderator of the General Assembly, the Right Rev. J. Mitchell. The church was dedicated a year later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">The suite of halls was added in 1931, and the kitchen and cloakroom premises extended in 1967.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">In 1969, a magnificent stained glass window was incorporated in the building at a cost of \u00a32,500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Mr McNaught held a meeting of elders on Saturday afternoon in the church&#8217;s small hall, which suffered only water damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">He told the elders that he had received a telegram of sympathy from the last minister of St. John&#8217;s, the Rev. George M. Graham, who left Kirkcaldy last year to take up a new charge at St. Luke&#8217;s Church, Paisley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">The blaze at St. John&#8217;s brings the total number of major outbreaks of fire in the town since Christmas to five.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">The Odeon Cinema was completely gutted in the early hours of Boxing Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Two youths were later found guilty after trial at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court of maliciously setting fire to a kiosk in the cinema, which led to the \u00a3250,000 blaze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">In April, Fife&#8217;s biggest store &#8211; the CEFCO department store in High Street &#8211; was burned to the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Unlike the other fires &#8211; which all took place in the early hours of the morning &#8211; the CEFCO blaze which is thought to be accidental, started around lunchtime.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column3390_e82663-96 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column3390_e82663-96 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column3390_e82663-96 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column3390_e82663-96 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column3390_e82663-96 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column3390_e82663-96 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column3390_e82663-96{position:relative;}.kadence-column3390_e82663-96, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column3390_e82663-96:not(.specificity){margin-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column3390_e82663-96 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column3390_e82663-96 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column3390_e82663-96\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><input type=\"button\" value=\"Go back\" class=\"alg_back_button_input \" style=\"\" onclick=\"window.history.back()\" \/>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>History &#8211; Fire Stories On this page we present some reports from local and national newspapers on the fire which destroyed the original Church at 4am on 19th July 1975&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3539,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"show","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"show","_kad_post_feature_position":"behind","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3390","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"campaignId":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3390","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3390"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3390\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4988,"href":"https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3390\/revisions\/4988"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3539"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/langtouncentralchurch.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3390"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}