Parish Church
St Monans Church is situated within its kirkyard just to the west of the village on the very edge of the sea. It has a very dramatic setting, perched on a low rock, reached over a small valley with a burn. As seen from most directions it has the sea as a backdrop. A more modern cemetery stands further westwards on the upper slopes of the little hill. This contains the local war memorial. Standing at the extreme west end of this a romantic ruin can be viewed across fields, again perched on the sea edge.
It is often said that St Monans is the church nearest the sea in the whole of Scotland, and this may well be the case, being only around 20m from the edge. The church, one of the finest remaining from the Middle Ages in Scotland, was built by King David II Bruce (1329–71), initially for a small house of Dominican friars. It later became the Church of Scotland parish church. Though the church may never have been finished (it has a choir and transepts, with a short spire over the crossing, but lacks a nave), it has many features of architectural interest, notably the fine stone vaulting in the choir and the plain but handsome sedilia. White-washed throughout internally, the church is particularly light and attractive among ancient Scottish churches.
Major restoration to the windows and masonry was completed in March 2007. The church is open to visitors daily from April - October.
St Monans Parish Church is linked with Largoward Parish Church. The current minister of both parish churches is the Revd Dr Donald MacEwan.
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—Mitchell Parish (1901–1993)
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And Certainty? And Quiet kind?
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The lies, and truths, and pain? . . . oh!
Stands the Church clock at ten to three?
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—Rupert Brooke (1887–1915)