“After the most anxious enquiry”, it is said, “and a careful comparison of the different forms of church government with the Word of God, they came to the conclusion that the Congregational or Independent form of government and worship is the most conducive to purity of communion and is in accordance with the practice of the primitive churches as recorded in the New Testament”. So convinced, they sought to give effect to their convictions, and entered into correspondence with Dr. Lindsay Alexander of Augustine congregational Church, Edinburgh, and the Rev. G.D.Cullen, then a Congregational minister in Leith. A visit from these two gentlemen resulted in arrangements being made for the holding of services. A Hall in the Maygate capable of holding 200 was rented from a Mr.Rankine and services conducted by Mr.Cullen were commenced on Sunday, 15th December, 1839. Three diets of worship were held that day. Good as were the congregations at the forenoon and afternoon meetings, they were better still in the evening, for we learn that “the room was crowded to excess”.

By February of 1840 the young Church had a membership of 38 and desiring to be formally recognised and constituted as a Congregational Church, they asked that representatives of neighbouring churches be sent to Dunfermline for this purpose. The services of recognition were held on 6th March, 1840, and Canmore Street Congregational Church, Dunfermline, became added to the number of Congregational Churches in Scotland. That day also, four deacons were ordained, and as their names have been preserved in the Church records it is but right that, seeing they took upon themselves the great responsibility of directing the affairs of this young church, their names should be given here as a tribute to their memory:—Erskine Beveridge, who proved a staunch friend in the testing days which were to follow, Henry Kid. the first Treasurer of the Church, Thomas Grieve, and William Kirk.

Soon after this formal recognition of the Church, the members began to engage in regular church activities. A Sunday School was commenced and that it must have been of fair size can be gathered from the fact that fifteen members were appointed to act as Teachers. A Library was organised for the use of the congregation and Sabbath School members, and most detailed regulations for its use were drawn up. A committee was also formed to choose a suitable site on which to build a “chapel”. In September of that year the congregation moved from the Hall in the Maygate to the larger “Freemason Hall” which we understand was then situated in North Inglis Street. It is interesting to read that instructions were given to the responsible committee to have this Hall “seated” and “fitted up” as “comfortably and as economically as possible”. In that same month also, the present site of the Church was purchased. Plans for a building capable of seating 700 people and estimated to cost £1,200 were obtained and approved.

It was a great day for the congregation when on Sunday, 2nd January, 1842, the temporary “Tabernacle” was vacated for the permanent “Temple”. Three services were held and, according to the “Scottish Congregational Magazine” for March of that year, these services were so successful that "Hundreds were unable to obtain admittance”.

During the next few years the Church passed through a difficult period. The heavy burden of debt became such a problem that it was found necessary in 1846 to form a special committee to enquire into the situation. Also about this time several resignations from membership are recorded, and it says much for the courage of the members that, despite the smallness of their numbers, the resignations were accepted rather than retain on the roll any who had compromised with essential Christian principles of Faith and Conduct. As an indication of the spirit of the Church, it may be mentioned that two men formerly connected with Wesleyan Methodism had applied for membership and were accepted only on their agreeing to avoid introducing “Wesleyan doctrinal peculiarities at the risk of disturbing the peace of this Church”.

There is here a blank of ten years in the Church records and it is impossible to record much of Mr. Craig or the condition of the Church during his pastorate. From the letter he addressed to the Church advising them of his acceptance of the invitation, we gather that he was not blessed with too good health, and also that he had his own way of doing things. The date of Mr. Craig's departure is not available in any of the records of the time.

With the settlement of Mr.Hutchison the Church entered on a period of increased prosperity. The earlier financial difficulties were overcome, and in every way the influence of the Church upon the life of the city was enlarged. During his ministry he compiled a new Hymn Book for the congregation, and so much did the work flourish that the Church was able to afford a professional organist.

The organ appears to have given trouble about this time as a complete overhaul was found to be necessary and was undertaken in April, 1884. In this year also a “Leader of the Psalmody” was appointed to co-operate with the Organist in the leading of the Praise of the Church. Mr.James Simpson was unanimously appointed and continued to hold office until 1894. Mr.Simpson died in 1939, and for many years after ceasing to lead the Churche's Praise he continued to serve as conductor of the Children's Choir. As a sidelight upon the times it might be mentioned that the conditions of appointment of the Church Officer were reviewed in 1886, and his salary then fixed at £12 p.a., but this sum being unacceptable to him it was increased to £l3—the increase being descried as “a somewhat higher figure”

The question of the observance of Holy Communion arose in this same year, 1884. Hitherto the Sacrament had been celebrated weekly but the Deacons, after considerable discussion spread over several months, recommended that the weekly observance be changed to monthly. Although the advisability of a change was suggested to the Church in 1884, the matter was deferred several times and it was not until March 1889 that approval was given and the new method adopted. The Communion service again came up for discussion in May of 1889, when the Church meeting approved of the suggestion that the whole congregation be encouraged to remain during the observance of the Sacrament and that the whole service be made to bear upon it.

The Mission Sunday School, which had for some time been conducted in premises in Carnegie Street, was transferred to the “New Drill Hall” in Bruce Street in 1889.

Special services were held on Sunday, 21st September, 1890, when Rev.J.M.Jarvie of Greenock preached along with Mr.Ritchie. A “Soiree” was held on the Monday evening following, at which representative ministers were present to convey the greetings of the Denomination and of sister churches in the city. Perhaps most pleasing of all was the presence of at least three — there may have been others — of those who had been associated with the Church since its formation.

Mr.James Dickie, Mr.William Robertson and Mr.David Watson are referred to by name in a “Press” account of the proceedings as those who could claim association with the Church from the day when the first service was held. The celebrations were continued throughout the week. On the Tuesday evening a symposium of Congregational Ministers was held; on the Wednesday and Thursday, Evangelistic services were conducted, and on the Friday a Rally for Young People took place. The celebrations were counted a great success and contributed much to the deepening of the Church's spiritual life.

With the celebrations over, the Church settled down with increased enthusiasm for its growing work. For the next few years several matters of importance were to occupy the attention of the Minister, Deacons and Members. The question of an increase in the number of Deacons was suggested in 1890, but not until 1891 were the additions made, bringing up the number to eleven. The matter of a Missionary Assistant was also considered. An extension had been made in Mission-school work and by 1892 the Church was responsible for three such schools, one in the Drill Hall, Bruce Street, another in Rolland Street, and a third in Wellwood. From 1892 until 1908 assistants to the pastors were appointed to aid them in this work.

The major question which came before the Deacons in 1892 was the enlarging of the Church and the provision of more adequate Hall accommodation. The scheme proposed entailed an estimated expenditure of £1,500 and having met with the approval of the Church, was commenced in the autumn of 1893 and completed in the early months of 1894. During the time that the Church was being enlarged, services were held in St.Margaret's Hall. Re-opening services were held on January 14th and a Social Meeting on January 16th.

For many years after the death, about 1862, of Mr.Leason, the second professional organist of the Church, the organ had been played by voluntary organists, amongst those being Miss Beveridge, Mrs.Robbie, Miss Erskine (Mrs.Wood), and Mr.J.W.Robertson. In February, 1894, Mr.A.A.Campbell of Arbroath was appointed Organist and Choirmaster and in this capacity gave 42 years of most faithful service until his death in 1936. Soon after Mr.Campbell’s appointment, the organ was completely overhauled and new pipes added, the gift of the late Mr.George Reid. Mr.Campbell was succeeded by Mr.Joseph Fettes, L.R.A.M. The present Organist and Choirmaster, Mr.W.Clifford Jenkins, L.R.A.M., A.R.C.M., was appointed in 1938.

A further election of Deacons took place in 1894 when six new deacons were added to those then in office, increasing the number to fourteen. Mr.Rattray, the pastor's assistant, having resigned, Mr.A.G.H.Sivewright, M.A., a scholar under the “Baxter Trust”, was appointed his successor. Mr.Sivewright remained until February 1896 when he was inducted to the Church in St.Andrews.

It was during Mr.MacLennan's ministry that evening services in place of afternoon services were commenced during the winter months, and a “News Letter” started. The Congregational Church Hymnal was introduced in 1898, and in the following year the Mission Sunday School work being carried on in the Co-operative Hall was transferred to the Rolland Street premises. Mr.MacLennan had as his assistants Mr.R.Stein, who in 1902 became minister of the Tillicoultry Church; Mr.Strachan, who entered Paton College, Nottingham, in 1903; Mr.William Orr, who left in 1904; and Mr.Walter Terrett, who completed his engagement in March. 1906. A fire occurred in 1904, when considerable damage was done to the Church Halls. In that year Mr.R.E.Walker presented the Church with the Individual Communion Set, which has been in use ever since. Additions to the Deacons were made in March of 1905, seven being added to those then serving.

As an indication of the prosperous condition of the Church at this time it may be mentioned that there were 507 members on the roll at the close of 1909, and the Church had the distinction of distributing more copies of the London Missionary Society “Chronicle” than any other church in Great Britain.

All through the first War Dunfermline was a centre for the billeting of Troops. To meet the need for Social Centres, clubs were organised throughout the town. On 15th August, 1914, the Church handed over its entire suite of Halls for the use of the South club, which was then established in the Church premises. The Club became a “Home from Home” and many were the expressions of appreciation for the facilities granted and the good fellowship enjoyed.

Some idea of the work carried through by those responsible for the club can be gathered from the fact that some 50,000 letters were posted annually from the premises and approximately half a million meals were served during the duration of the War.

A feature of the Soldiers’ Club was the Special Sunday evening service held in the Hall conducted by Mr. Stein and other ministers. The occupation of the Hall necessitated readjustments in the carrying on of such Church work as was possible. The Sunday School and Bible Class were held in the Church, as also was the Band of Hope, the meetings of the Missionary Working Society were discontinued, and the Boys’ Brigade disbanded.

The War saw the building of the Garden City of Rosyth. The Congregational Union of Scotland proposed establishing a church at Rosyth to meet the needs of the growing community. An appeal to support the venture was made to Canmore Street Church, which took the new cause under its wing. In addition to financial assistance, the members of Canmore Street helped forward the project by a personal canvass of the district and by attendance at the services when the church was formed. Indeed, this was not the limit of the help given, as at one time members of Canmore Street Church acted as Beadle and even undertook the duties of church cleaners. With the change in the status of the Dockyard on the conclusion of the War, the new church saw many of its members leave the district, and when a disastrous fire destroyed the building the cause was abandoned.

Canmore Street Church did not forget her many sons who were on Active Service, and sought by means of letters, Xmas cards and Xmas parcels to keep them in touch with their Church and to assure them she was still mindful of them. Of those connected with the Church who served, twelve made the supreme sacrifice, and among them were some whom the Church had regarded as her future leaders.

With the problems of the Post-War world before them the Church in December, 1919, called the Rev.John Safeley, M.A. (later Ph.D.), of Hillhead Church, Glasgow. Before the settlement of the new minister the Church was redecorated and electric light installed. The years following upon the War were difficult years for the churches in Dunfermline as, owing to the severe depression in the staple industry of the town, many families were compelled to leave for other districts where work was more plentiful. Not a few of the families connected with Canmore Street Church emigrated to America and the colonies about this time. Despite these difficulties of the times, the work of the Church progressed. Organisations that had been disbanded were resuscitated, and new ones commenced. A Manse was again purchased and generous support given to the Central Fund of the Congregational Union.

The Church's memorial to those who lost their lives in the Great War was placed on the front of the pulpit and dedicated at a special service held on 3rd October, 1920. Because a change in the needs of the district made the work no longer necessary, Rolland Street Mission — the last of the Church's Missions to remain open — was closed down in 1921. Thus was brought to a conclusion a not inglorious association, maintained by the Church over a long period with Mission work in the City and the surrounding district.

Early in his ministry Mr. Lewis inaugurated a new Youth organisation known as “The Young Canmorians”, which had undoubted success. Extensive repairs having been carried out to the roof of the Church in 1934, the building was redecorated in the following year and the organ again overhauled. At the same time an apparatus for assisting the deaf members of the congregation was installed and proved a great boon. In the following year the cloakroom accommodation in the Halls was extended and brought up to date, and in 1937 the Manse was completely redecorated, and the lighting and heating systems brought up to modern standards. With the redecoration of the Halls it was felt that the Church buildings generally would be in excellent repair at the end of the first century of the Church's life. A corporation street widening scheme, involving an alteration in the policies in front of the Church, was carried out in such a way as to enhance the appearance of the buildings and improve the entrances.