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history |
The church was first recorded as being associated with St. Fillan in 1390 and belonged originally to the Abbey of Inchcolm. After the Reformation the first reader was recorded in 1567.
In the 15th century the church was enlarged by the addition of a south aisle. Further changes including the addition of the belfry were made in the 16th and 17th centuries. In about 1640 the Earl of Morton, owner of Aberdour Castle, erected a family gallery. In the early 1700s a dispute over the occupancy of the ministry arose on the death of the incumbent when the Earl of Morton imposed his choice against the wishes of the population. The result was the mass exodus of the congregation to neighbouring parish churches. In 1790 St Fillan's Church fell into disuse and by 1796 was a roofless ruin. An alternative parish church was built at the west end of Aberdour St Colme's.
Due to fund raising and commitment of local people who raised the finance needed to start restoration of the ruined church in 1925, the church now serves Aberdour parish again. This work included the removal of a large tree growing in the chancel arch. The restored St Fillan's held its first service on 7 July 1926. In 1940 it was united with St Colme's and Dalgety after which the manses of Dalgety and St Colme's were sold. |