St Monans Auld Kirk

St Monans Auld Kirk is one of the oldest churches in Scotland and sits above the coastal path to the south west of the village of St Monans.

The history of the church has taken quite some research with many conflicting stories. There has certainly been a church at the site since 1265, however the current building was commissioned by King David II around 1370. The reason he had the church built led to two different legends.

The first tells of the King's ship blowing off course in adverse weather conditions and it fortuitously landed here. He was so grateful that he had survived, that he had the church built to replace the existing one.

The second tells of the King visiting the shrine here and during his prayers the arrow wounds he received in 1346 at the Battle of Neville Cross were miraculously healed.

Either way it is a beautiful building located in a stunning spot.

The village of St Monans takes its name from Monan, however yet again, I came across different tales of his origin.

One tells of Monan being a 9th century hermit who lived where the burn runs down to the sea by the church. He was killed during a Viking invasion and a shrine built in his honour.

Another says that Monan was an Irish Bishop named Moinenn and his remains were brought here by Irish Monks.

A final version suggests that Monan is a Gaelic form of Ninian and it is known that St Ninian was active around these parts in the 4th/5th century.

Whatever his origins, a shrine was built here in his honour that drew pilgrims from afar, and it's thanks to Monan that this beautiful church sits here today.

We were unable to access the church the day we visited. However, I did some research into what to expect from the inside and will update this page with photos at a later date.

The church is a traditional crucifiable shape with gleaming white vaulted ceilings that boast small representations of the Earl of Douglas, the Earl of Fife and Earl of Annandale's Coat of Arms. Through the whitewash you can still see Celtic crosses.

There is a stone carved 14th century sedilia (seat) and 14th century piscina and consecration cross (where the communion vessel would have been washed). Behind the pulpit is evidence of the original doorway which is now blocked off.

There is so much history to untangle for St Monans Auld Kirk, that I created a timeline for a walk through the ages.

Around 875AD, a shrine was created to honour St Monan.

In 1265, a church was built near the site of St Monans shrine.

Around 1370, David II had the church built to replace the earlier building.

In 1471, King James III established a monastery of Dominican Friars at the church.

In 1544, the church was damaged in an English naval attack on the Fife coast.

In 1646, it became the parish church, at which point the transepts (the two arms of the cross shape) were blocked off.

In 1796, a wooden gallery was installed in the church.

Then from from 1800 onwards.

In 1800, Captain Marr of the Royal Navy who was born in the village, gifted the church the model of a ship which is suspended from the ceiling.

In 1826, William Burn restored the church to its original format. He removed the gallery and reopened the blocked off transepts. He lowered the floor and added buttresses to the exterior to strengthen walls.

In 1858, a medieval brass framed memorial to Henry Anstruther was installed in the northern transept.

In 1899, the church underwent major restoration work by the Glasgow architect Peter MacGregor Chalmers.

In 1913, a church hall designed by Sir Robert Lorimer was added.

In 2007, the church underwent major restoration work to the windows and masonry.

In 2022, Sunday Services stopped, but the church it is still used for weddings, funerals and special occasions.

St Monans Auld Kirk hit the limelight when in 1981 Johnny Cash was filmed singing carols here whilst visiting to make his Christmas Special at Falkland Palace. Later it also featured in films such as the 2016 remake of Whisky Galore and The Railway Man.

Walking around the outside of the Kirk, you see some some ancient memorial stones that have been battered by the elements in this exposed position.

There is an additional cemetery area up to the west of the church that contains many more gravestones and a war memorial.

St Monans Auld Kirk is open daily from Easter through October and has a convenient neighbouring free car park.

St Monans Auld Kirk is a Category A listed building with Historical Environment Scotland.

If you feel like an extra stroll, head south away from the village on the coastal path. Before long you will reach the St Monans Doocot and Newark Castle, which you can see from the church.