Kirkcaldy minister set for final service after 41 years with same church

He is stepping down from the role with his last church service taking place on Sunday.

Having studied at Aberdeen University and served as a probationer minister in Northfield, Aberdeen, Ken was ordained on August 28, 1979 as a Church of Scotland minister, and inducted in his one and only charge as minister of St Brycedale Church in Kirkcaldy.

There was a vacancy for a minister at the church so he applied – but he revealed they had specific requirements.

Ken said: “They were looking for a minister who was over 40, married with children and a man. I fitted none of them other than the fact that I wasn’t a woman!”

Recalling his early days, he said initially the congregation were a bit ‘stuffy.’

“I was told before I came that St Brycedale was ‘a bit “snobby’ but that was unfair. There were good kind and friendly people who welcomed this young minister.

"Overall though, the feeling was formal, reserved and traditional. I set about changing that to make it more friendly. Eventually new ways of worship were embraced as was the new minister.”

There are a number of highlights from his ministry over 41 years with many projects standing out – such as the church-run youth training scheme that helped hundreds of unemployed teenagers into training and work and the development of St Brycedale Church into St Brycedale Centre.

He said: "The youth training scheme was hugely stressful and was a huge responsibility. At one stage we had over 50 teenagers. I set up an agency and it ran from the front room of my manse.

"Trainees came and went all through the day along with careers staff. We now have one or two managers in care homes in Fife who started as teenage trainees with our scheme. It ran for around 15 years.”

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Ken said his idea to develop the church into a centre was also a huge project which took two years to come to fruition, opening in 1989.

“I was accused of vandalising a beautiful church but eventually it won support from session and the congregation and the St Brycedale Church Centre was born.

"The results included unemployed labour with work and training; a church with a new lease of life; a conference centre, cafe and meeting place. It became a real community.”

He also worked closely with pupils and staff at Fair Isle Primary and was also chaplain for many years at Kirkcaldy High.

Ken has also enjoyed getting to know locals: “I have married a few brides I first held as babies and it has been nice having real connections with families. It has also been a privilege to deliver pastoral care in times of pain and loss.”

Ken, who has enjoyed singing in the church choir and leading the church band over the years, said he isn’t sure how he will spent his retirement, but added: “I have never considered ministry a job, it has been a way of life. I have enjoyed personal friendships deep and lasting and there are many others who have passed on who deeply enriched my life, who I will always remember with love and gratitude.”

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