A DUNFERMLINE church seems to be bucking the trend of dwindling congregations with its packed out services.

The Dunfermline East Church has been drawing in the Duloch community for the last 14 years. It began in the converted garage of its then minister Rev Alan Childs in 2003 and services were even held in a bus until, after nine years of temporary homes, the Church of Scotland building opened on Nightingale Place in 2012.

But with a growing congregation, it’s already needing an extension. Rev Andrew Morrice, leader of the kirk since 2010, said: “There was hardly anything in Duloch when Alan first opened up his home, just the Tesco I think!

“He converted his garage into a room where they held services and a tots group. There was nothing else in the community at the time and no leisure centre.

“Alan would knock on doors to let people know they were there. Since 2012 the numbers have increased quite a bit and we are now looking to build an annex to act as an extra hall.”

The kirk opens its doors as a cafe through the week which incorporates a soft play area for kids and a location for community groups to meet. The children’s summer camp sold out in less than 12 hours and 500 people came to the Christmas services.

Rev Morrice added: “We predominately have families coming through our doors. We probably have about 60 kids on a Sunday morning and 150 to 200 people each week.

“We are one of the focal points of the community, lots of people meet here and we’re keen to do something for the community. We try to make our services accessible and relevant to modern day. We have contemporary worship and musicians who lead and try to reach people where they are at.”

Plans have been approved by Fife Council with a single storey annex expected to cost £350,000.

“We are currently trying to finalise plans and finances for the extension,” Rev Morrice said. “We are looking for funders but we’re hoping to make progress with in the next year. However, a lot of it depends of finances.

“The annex will be self sufficient though meaning groups can use the hall without having to come to the rest of the building.”