St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Inverkeithing

History 1960 to 2011

1960s and 70s

1960	Rev. Colin Preston-Thomas is appointed to Rosyth and Inverkeithing. The Struan Place rectory has been sold some time previously and a new rectory built in the grounds of St. Andrew’s and St. George’s in Rosyth.
1960s	Building begins at Dalgety Bay. Some residents attend St. Peter’s.
1972	Rev. Stuart Campbell is appointed. He is the last clergyman to live in the rectory at Rosyth.
1975	When Rev. S Campbell moves away Inverkeithing and Rosyth churches are linked with St. Finnian’s, Lochgelly, under its rector, the Rev. Jim Baker, to form the ILR Group.
1975-80	Tom Dennison and Ron Bowlzer of Inverkeithing congregation are among the first non-stipendiary clergy ordained in the Diocese. Val Armstrong is Sunday school leader and the Sunday school opens again for a number of years. Alex Armstrong, a member of the congregation, begins training for the ministry. The non-stipendiary clergy in the ILR Team are Rev. Tom Dennison (Inverkeithing) and Rev. John Marshall (Rosyth), joined later by Rev. Ron Bowlzer. The rector, Canon J Baker, and all the non-stipendiaries take turns to conduct services at Inverkeithing. Mrs Newbone is 100 years old. Tom Dennison becomes the first non-stipendiary Canon.
1978/9	We sell the land on which the hall stood. A hotel is subsequently built on the site (later to become a children’s home).

1980s and 90s

1980	We split the church building into a worship area (original chancel) and a hall with kitchen (the original nave). Dancing and yoga classes begin in the hall and continue for about 10 years or so.
1982	Mothers’ Union branch revived and continues for about 20 years. During the 1980s Jim Oliver makes and presents a new altar and lectern to the church.
1984	Rev. Canon Jim Baker leaves and the Bishop appoints Tom Dennison as administrator. Canon Tom Dennison continues to serve at St. Peter’s until his death in 1989. During Canon Dennison’s time the church silver is stolen but recovered. We remove the rood screen. We begin to use the blue book liturgy (Scottish Liturgy 1982) and we buy new hymn books (Hymns Ancient and Modern, New Standard).
1986	Inverkeithing becomes part of the West Fife Group (with Dunfermline, Aberdour, Burntisland and Lochgelly), under Rev. David Redwood. Around this time St. Andrew’s and St. George’s in Rosyth is demolished and we sell the rectory. The Rosyth congregation continue to worship in the Salvation Army Hall for a time. Canon T Dennison looks after Inverkeithing, Rev. John Marshall, Rosyth and Rev. Ron Bowlzer, Burntisland.
1990	Around 1990 the Salvation Army Hall in Rosyth is demolished, the congregation disbanded and Rev John Marshall retires.
1991	The “Green Gang” begins, to maintain the Jamestown Pond.
1994	The first female priests are ordained in our diocese, including Valerie Nellist, a member of our congregation, who becomes part of the West Fife Team Ministry, responsible for Inverkeithing. Rev. Jean Cook also joins the Team around now and looks after Aberdour.
1999	Rev. Canon David Redwood retires. The Bishop institutes the ABI Group – Aberdour, Burntisland and Inverkeithing, with Val Nellist as Rector of Burntisland and in charge of the group. Lay ministers and lay visitors begin to serve within the group.
1999-2003	We purchase additional hymn books, to give more variety to our worship (Songs of God’s People and Common Ground).

2000s

2000	We celebrate 2000 years of Christianity.
2001	Norma Barr, a member of our congregation, is ordained after a period of training for the ministry. She joins the ABI clergy team as a non-stipendiary curate. Rev. Norma will conduct many of our services over the next two years.
2002	Rev. Jean Cook retires but will conduct the occasional service at Inverkeithing.
2003	Rev. Norma departs to a post in America. St. Peter’s celebrates the centenary of the building.
2004	Rev. Graham Opperman comes from South Africa and lives in the area for a year. He joins the ABI clergy team as a non-stipendiary curate and conducts many of our services during his time with us. Green Gang outdoor activities wind down about now. However, indoor joint meeting with the Scottish Wildlife Trust continues each January.
2005-07	Rev. Canon Val Nellist continues to conduct services on alternate Sundays, while on the other Sundays services are mainly lay led.
2008-2010	Retired priest Rev. Malcolm Richardson joins the ABI clergy team and conducts the occasional service at Inverkeithing. New ballet dancing classes begin in the hall. The Inverkeithing Step Dancers also make use of the premises.
2011	Rev. Maureen Stirzaker, on retiring from a post in England, comes to live in Aberdour. She joins the ABI clergy team as a non-stipendiary assistant priest.