Cupar, Fife, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #420

Condition of Original Registers—
Index: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index on computer at the Family History Library under “Databases on the Network.” Births: From 1654–1817 births are recorded in the same register book with marriages and deaths: births on left hand pages, marriages and deaths on right hand pages. The records are incomplete 1696–1701 except for three, February 1716–November 1718. Mother's names are seldom recorded in entries 1688–July 1769. Marriages: There are no entries January 1687–November 1703 and December 1715–June 1719 and they are incomplete 1738–1740. Deaths: There are no death or burial entries March 1697–December 1702. There is a separate record of births, marriages and deaths after January 1817. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. FHL British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Old Kirk Session

Various Minutes 1838–1913 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/753.

St. Michael's Kirk Session

Cash Book 1844–1878 Note: Available at St. Andrews University Library, St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, record CH2/753.

Boston United Presbyterian, formerly First Relief Church
History— Adverse circumstances in the parish church caused some members to withdraw and apply to the Relief Presbytery of Dysart about 1770. A church was built and at first called Westport; their name was changed to Boston in 1849. It became United Presbyterian at the union in 1847. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618. More details are given in the source including ministers.

Records—                                                     FHL Film Number  Relief Session Minutes 1813–1871                    1484197 items 1-3     (Including some christenings, and marriages) Manager’s Minutes 1828–1866                          1484198 items 1–3

Provost Wynd Relief Church, extinct
History— In 1829, 271 members and 108 adherents of the First Relief congregation of Cupar applied to the Relief Presbytery of Dysart to be disjoined from that congregation and formed into a separate congregation, which was allowed. A church was built in 1830. After the union of the Secession and Relief Churches in 1847, the congregation dispersed and the place of worship was sold to the Baptists. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618. More details are given in the source including ministers.

Records— The extent of pre-1855 records is unknown.

Bonnygate Associate Presbyterian Church
History— A praying society in Cupar acceded to the Associate Presbytery in 1740. They were joined by some elders from the parish of Monimail who had also withdrawn from the established church. A congregation was formed the following year and sermon was supplied by the Presbytery. The congregation was joined by several parishioners from Monsie in 1742. The congregation then met in Ceres. In 1793 the members from the Cupar area disjoined from Ceres and formed a separate congregation. A church was built in 1794 and enlarged in 1830, and a new church was built in 1866, with seating for 650. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618. More details are given in the source including ministers.

Records— The extent of pre-1855 records is unknown.

Cupar Free Church
History— The minister with a large congregation came out in 1843. Depopulation of the rural district in the vicinity largely accounts for the decrease in membership. Membership: 1848, 800; 1900, 472. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Film #918572. More details are given in the source including ministers.

Records—                              FHL Film Number  Baptisms 1837–1854                1068235 item 10 Communicants 1837–1853        1069235 item 10

Cupar Congregational Church
History— Founded in 1800, this was a Glasite Church, which united with the Baptists in 1838. Source: A History of Scottish Congregationalism, by Harry Escott, pub. 1960. FHL book 941 K2es. Records— The extent of pre–1855 records is unknown. See Baptist church below.

Cupar Baptist Church
History— It was founded in 1816 and became a strong church that was able to help the cause in other areas. During the first half of the 19th century the congregation had to move twice to new accommodations due to growth. There is still a church in Cupar today. Source: History of the Baptists in Scotland, by Rev. Geo. Yuille, ed., pub. 1926. Book 941 K2hi. See also, The Baptists in Scotland: A History, by D. W. Bebbington, ed., pub. 1988. Book 941 K2bs.

Records— The extent of pre-1855 records is unknown. Contact: Baptist Union of Scotland 14 Aytoun Road Glasgow G41 5RT Scotland

Cupar Scottish Episcopal Church
History— No history is available. There was an Episcopal church here as early as 1835.

Records—

The extent of pre-1855 records is unknown. Contact the parish priest at; St. Jame's Rectory 33 Millbank Cupar KY15 5DP Scotland

Cupar Roman Catholic Church
History— Founded in 1847; closed in 1856; reopened in 1864. No separate early registers recorded in Kirkcaldy until 1875. Records— See Kirkcaldy parish.