St John's Church is a former church building in Inverkeithing in Fife, Scotland. Originally built in 1752 as a Burgher chapel, it is a Category B listed building, noted by Historic Scotland as playing "a significant part in the development of Inverkeithing's socio-religious history".

History In 1752 a split occurred within the congregation of Inverkeithing Parish Church over the choice of Andrew Richardson as minister by right of patronage; the dispute became known as the Inverkeithing Case. Following Richardson's eventual appointment as minister, 127 parishioners left, and St John's Church was built as a Burgher chapel.

With growing attendance, in 1799 the building was widened, heightened, and had galleries added. By the 1830s, the congregation at St John's Church comprised roughly half the burgh's population. The church was renovated in 1882.J Gifford, BUILDINGS OF SCOTLAND: FIFE (1988) p247. HISTORY OF ST JOHN'S CHURCH BUILDINGS, INVERKEITHING, notes compiled by C Morris, Church Elder (1990s)

On 4 August 2000, news crews were pitched outside St John's Church and Inverkeithing Parish Church after hints by HM Treasury that Gordon Brown and Sarah Macauley would be married at the local parish church in Inverkeithing. Brown and Macauley were instead married at their nearby home.

In 2006, St John's church was united with Inverkeithing Parish Church. The building was sold to a private buyer in 2022.

Incarnations Founded as a Burger chapel, by 1779, a protracted dispute over the first minister of the Church led to a large part of the church becoming Cameronian. Later incarnations of the church are as follows:

Associate Congregation c. 1786 - 1820 United Associate (Secession) Congregation 1820 - 1847 United Presbyterian Church 1847 - 1900 United Free Church in 1900 - 1929 Church of Scotland in 1929 - 2022.

Ministers

The longest serving minister of St John's church was Reverend Ebenezer Brown, who served from 1780 to 1835. He was an early supporter of the missionary movement, and declined calls to ministry in Stirling in 1788, Aberdeen in 1798 and Glasgow in 1800.Johnson, Rev. J. (1981). Inverkeithing past and present (1st ed.). Dunfermline: West Fife Educational Trust.

The complete list of ministers is given:

1755-1772: David Forrest 1776-1778: Adam Selkirk 1780-1836: Ebenezer Brown 1835-1875: John Dick Fleming 1875-1892: Thomas Sclater 1893-1933: Peter C Bryce 1933-1936: David Herd 1937-1958: R. W. Anderson 1958-1962: D. C. Moir 1963-1970: H. J. G. Troup 1971-1976: Alexander Strickland 1977-1993: William G Baird 1995-2002: Sheila Munro 2004-2006: Chris Park

After 2006, St John's Church united with Inverkeithing Parish Church, with Chris Park taking over as joint minister.

Listed Status In December 1979, St John's Church was awarded category B listed status by Historic Scotland. In their statement of special interest, they note the church: "... plays a significant part in the development of Inverkeithing's socio-religious history, with particular relevance to its status as a royal burgh and reflects the staunchness of its citizens." and also that "apart from some internal improvements, this church has not changed significantly since its major additions of the late 18th century."

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