The historic Old Kirk building, which together with the St Brycedale building, forms St Bryce Kirk, has been earmarked for closure as part of the local Presbytery's revised plan for the next 10 years.

At present services are conducted in both buildings, however it was agreed at a Kirkcaldy Presbytery meeting this week that maintaining two places of worship in such close proximity was a waste of much-needed funds.

Rev. Ken Froude, minister at St Bryce Kirk, said: "As part of a national initiative that requires all Presbyteries to assess both Ministry posts and building requirements for the future in the light of present financial constraints, a Revised Presbytery Plan for the next ten years was agreed.

"This process will be ongoing and evermore challenging."

He added: "Maintaining and using two large and old church buildings as places of worship that are in close proximity, was seen as unnecessary and not a good use of scarce resources.

"The committee felt that all the needs of this busy congregation can be met on the one site that is the St Brycedale building.

"Consequently, the Old Kirk building will, at some point within the 10 years of the plan, no longer be required.

"For the congregation, all this has coincided with a steep rise in insurance premiums for all its buildings and a pressing need to address financial challenges that have been developing over several years."

In response to the situation, the General Trustees of the Church of Scotland had urged the congregation to look at the issue of having two church buildings.

Rev. Froude did not comment on the future of the B-listed Old Kirk building once it is put out of use by the Church.