Something Old … something new …

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Cupar has a number of places of worship ?Ķ and the oldest of them all is Cupar Old Parish Church! The church was established on its present site in 1415, some 300 years after Cupar’s first stone church was built, to the north-west of the town. We caught up with them to discover more about the church and the huge amount of community activity it supports ?Ķ

Early Christians laid the foundations of the present church community some 1,400 years ago. In 1415, the current church was founded, with the original west tower and later spire remaining today. The church was largely rebuilt in 1785 and another century on, the Sunday School Hall (now the impressive Old Parish Centre) was added on Kirk Wynd.

The Parish Centre provides a venue for a large number of activities, groups and community events. Modernised in 2008, it offers a range of accommodation – a hall with stage, meeting rooms, resource centre, cafe and creche.

In 2015, Cupar Old celebrated its 600th anniversary. The following year they called a new minister, Reverend Jeff Martin, an American who came into the Church of Scotland after serving a church in Missouri for fifteen years.

On Cupar Old’s role in the community, Jeff says: ‘Our church has built on a rich heritage of faith, outreach and service handed down over more than 600 years.‘ He adds: ‘The modernisation of the Old Parish Centre, with its well-appointed facilities, has provided Cupar Old with the platform to develop our own activities and to welcome in a wide variety of community organisations.‘

They have a small staff of eight – led by Jeff – as well as an army of volunteers who make all that they do possible ?Ķ and that’s a lot! The following list details just some of the initiatives and activities at the church – please click on any that are of interest ?Ķ

House Groups | Messy Church | Pastoral Care | Elderly Forum | Ramblers | Guild | Church Cafe | Children & Youth

And much more can be found on their website (just click on the image below) …

 

“We are Cupar Old Parish Church, a thriving Church of Scotland congregation. Our aim is to serve Jesus Christ, to make his name and love known as widely as possible. Our church also reaches out to the wider Cupar community and beyond, for example with a toddlers’ group, Alzheimer’s Caf , coffee and lunches and much more.”

 

The Church also works with many partners on projects that support people far beyond Cupar. As an example, working together with the Vine Trust, Scripture Union and volunteers from other churches, Cupar Old has played a key role in the building of a home for abandoned street boys in Ica, Peru.

Finally, we asked Jeff what his recommendation would be for any visitors to the town: “To walk the Cupar Heritage Trail” was his reply – and we’d suggest stopping a while at Number 14 to discover Cupar Old. Just click on the map below for a PDF version of the Trail …

Need more?

You can use this link to read their Latest News – and use this link for Downloadable Parish News. You’ll find the church’s Service Times here. Please use the following information to make contact …

 

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