The old Church of Cupar having become decayed, the Prior of St. Andrews,
in 1415, erected a new church on a new site in the town. But in 1785
this church was also found to be in a decayed condition, and was rebuilt
on the same site as that of the fifteenth century. Part of the old
structure at the north-west angle was, however, not destroyed, and still
survives. This portion (Fig. 1517) comprises three arches of the main or
central nave and the tower at the north-west angle. The latter (Fig.
1518) is quadrilateral, and its north and west walls are raised upon the
outer walls of the church at the north-west angle, portions of which
walls still exist, together with the jamb of a large west window. The
tower is unrelieved by buttresses. On the east and south the walls are
carried on arches, the lower story being thus included in the interior
of the church.
[Illustration: FIG. 1517.--St. Michael’s Church, Cupar.]
The pier at the south-east angle which supports these arches is
hexagonal in form, while the remaining piers of the church are round.
The caps and bases are of the usual late form. The tower is oblong in
plan, being 22 feet from east to west, and 18 feet from north to south.
This inequality produces a peculiar effect in the broached spire which
surmounts it, and which was erected in 1620 by the Rev. William Scott,
the minister of the parish, at his own expense. The balustrade forming
the parapet and the other features of the spire are quite in the
character of the Scottish seventeenth century steeples, common in
Fifeshire, such as those at Anstruther and Pittenweem.
The tower itself is plain with simple pointed lights, those of the upper
story being double, so as to be suitable for the belfry. In the west
wall there occurs a small window with peculiarly shaped head, and below
it the string course is studded with square shaped flowers.
In the present church is preserved a good recumbent effigy (Fig. 1519)
of one of the Fernies of Fernie, but it is without date. The arms over
[Illustration: FIG. 1518.--St. Michael’s Church, Cupar. Tower.]
the monument--a fesse between 3 lions’ heads erased--are those of Fernie
of that Ilk. Several members of this family were Constables of Cupar in
[Illustration: FIG. 1519.--St. Michael’s Church, Cupar. Monument of one
of the Fernies of Fernie.]
ancient times. The lands of Fernie lie a few miles to the west of the
town.