Church Overview

There has been an ecclesiastical presence on this site for around a millennium, initially as an outpost of the Culdee Church and from 1306 as rectory associated with the Provostry of St Mary’s, a religious foundation located in St Andrews. St Sirius’ Kirk was quickly built on the site following the Reformation of 1560 and is believed to have still been in use as late as 1785.

The foundation stone of the current church at Ceres was laid on the 21st April 1806, with most histories suggesting that the architect was local wright Alexander Leslie. Historic Environment Scotland have, however,  suggested that the initials “JC” carved next to the datestone may indicate architect-builder John Corstorphine. The church’s striking landmark battlemented tower and octagonal spire were added in 1851-52 by architect Hugh Birrell, who also carried out fabric alterations elsewhere in kirk. 

Further conservation was carried out in the 20th century by Ian G Lindsay, who restored the pulpit and the building’s original box pews and long communion tables that run the full length of the church. These tables featured in a television documentary about the history of the Church of Scotland in 1987 as the congregation held communion in the traditional fashion around them, as they had last done in 1960 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Reformation. The windows are believed to be mainly original early 19th century. 

In the vestibule of the church is a remarkable 15th century recumbent knight, dressed in his best armour, hands clasped in prayer and feet resting upon a lion. The preservation of the effigy is quite remarkable and it looks like it has never spent a day outside in its long history. There are also some interesting stones in the separately C-listed kirkyard outside, where visitors will also see the the 17th-century, stone-slated Lindsay vault that was possibly once attached to the medieval church on this site.

Ceres entered a union with Kemback and Springfield Churches in 2005, forming a single parish out of the three formerly separate congregations. Ceres is unfortunately earmarked for closure in the near future, so plans are currently being explored by the congregation and local community, working with architect Benjamin Tindall and the Scottish Pilgrim Routes Forum, to potentially turn the Georgian church into a visitor centre and pilgrim hostel, for the benefit of those individuals walking the popular Fife Pilgrim Way.

Services

Alternating Sundays with Springfield Church at 10.30am (check church’s own website for details). Tea and coffee after service.

Opening Arrangements

Open by arrangement

Disclaimer

The information about churches in Scotland’s Churches Scheme has been provided by the congregations or taken from the Historic Scotland list and published sources, in particular, the Buildings of Scotland volumes and the RIAS Illustrated Architectural Guides. To contact this specific church please complete the Contact this Church form above. The information is not authoritative; please contact Scotland’s Churches Trust to let us know of any errors or omissions.