Profile of St Michael and all Angels, Elie

St Michael's, Elie and St John's Pittenweem are joint charges. Ministerial costs are divided equally between the two with, in the immediate past, an annual grant being received from the Bishop Low Trust, who also own the Great House. The Rector lives in the Great House, Priory Court, Pittenweem, which is adjacent to St John's Church. This building, which is of great antiquity and which now has gas fired central heating may not be suitable for a priest with a young family nor one who is elderly as it has stone circular staircases and is three stories high.

Alternative accommodation might have to be investigated at some time in Pittenweem. St Michael's sold their parsonage about thirteen years ago as it was not needed, the then incumbent having chosen to live in Pittenweem.

St Michael's Church is built of wood clad with a corrugated material. The building is in good repair, painted regularly and the roof has just had some major work carried out on it but there is still some minor work to be carried out. Everyone who enters is surprised at its pleasant peaceful atmosphere. The church will seat 100. There is a small vestry and a few years back we installed a small disabled toilet and built a ramp up to the door. There is a modern chamber-organ and we are lucky in having a young organist with a gentle touch.

Sunday worship at Elie is at 9.45and currently we use Scottish Liturgy 1982 (the Blue book). The average attendance is around 20 members each week with 38 on the roll. Most of the Congregation are elderly though we do have several younger members but no children.

At present we have four housebound members, two in an Elie Nursing Home near the Church and the other two in their own homes. We have, thanks to the enthusiasm of our previous Rector, Rev Dr Julian Randall. and the Elie Parish Minister, Rev Iain Paton, established ecumenical services about four times a year, We are very anxious that the feeling of goodwill between the two churches continues to grow.

St Michael's has no Church Hall but we can hire the two Parish Church Halls, in Elie for coffee mornings and other fund raising events. There are about 850 on the voting roll for Elie and Earlsferry. This can double and more over holiday times as there are a large number of 'holiday houses' in the area. There is a thriving Primary School in the village and at Anstruther the main town in the East Neuk there is a secondary school (The Waid Academy). The children commute by bus. The village provides facilities for golf, tennis, bowls, sailing, fishing and of course swimming in the sea.

The usual run of winter clubs are available in the area - including bridge and painting. We still have, a hairdresser, a part time banks (including a cash dispenser), an excellent Post Office, Chemist, Fruit Shop, Baker and two food shops. St Andrews is about 20 minutes away Kirkcaldy half an hour and Edinburgh just over the hour. The nearest main line stations are at Leuchars (20 mins) Cupar (20 mins) and Kirkcaldy (30 mins).