Reginald Fairlie’s compact church re-established a permanent Catholic architectural presence on The Scores.
Quick facts
- Date
- Built 1910
- Architect / designer
- Reginald Fairlie
- Type
- Scots round-arched church with short tower and slated spire
- Designation
- Listed building, Category B (LB40816)
- OS grid reference
- NO 50793 17021
Architecture and continuing use
Snecked rubble, round-arched openings, a short Fife-like tower and slated spire give the small church a deliberately Scottish character.
Its story
The mission developed from 1864 and built a temporary church before the present 1910 building. It now serves St Andrews, the East Neuk and university worshippers.
Why it is included
Its prominent setting, assured regional design and active worship broaden the architectural story of St Andrews.
What to notice
- Short tower and slated spire.
- Round-arched openings in rough rubble walls.
- Relationship with the seaward edge of The Scores.
Reading the surroundings
Attend published Mass or contact the parish. Respect worship and university chaplaincy activity.
Timeline
- Built 1910 The mission developed from 1864 and built a temporary church before the present 1910 building. It now serves St Andrews, the East Neuk and university worshippers.
- Present Active Roman Catholic parish and university church.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
Mass patterns vary across the linked East Neuk parish; check the current St Andrews timetable.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: St James Catholic Church, St Andrews, LB40816 — Designation status, mapped location, construction phases, fabric, authorship and architectural or historical interest.
- Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh: St James — Current parish, address and Mass times.
- St James parish: history — Mission history, church development and current parish identity.
Location
OS grid reference NO 50793 17021 · Location confidence: High: the statutory designation supplies an official mapped National Grid Reference and the current source confirms the Place relationship or present identity. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
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