William Scott of Ardross endowed the Church which was opened for worship in 1639 during the post Reformation period and is based on a T plan with the preacher centred amongst the congregation at the pulpit on the south wall. Opposite the pulpit is the Lairds Loft with a family vault beneath and the unique octagonal clock tower built in 1726 by Sir John Anstruther is a strong focal point within the village. A traditional Fife style steeple was replaced by a cylindrical domed belfry in the early 19th century. The clock was installed in 1900 and replaced in 1972 by James Ritchie & Sons who used the original mechanism in the floral clock in Princes Street Gardens.
The main body of the church was comprehensively renovated in 1831 after which various high quality stained glass windows were installed including those designed by Edward Burne-Jones who worked with William Morris during the Arts and Crafts period. These were moved from the Wood Memorial Church in Bank Street before it was demolished in the 1960's. A fully detailed description of these windows is provided separately on this website. There is also a fine Walker Pipe Organ installed in 1965 to replace the original one of 1906 and was the gift of a local family. There is also a memorial tablet to James Horsburgh FRS who was born in Elie in 1762 and served as Hydrographer to the East India Company.
A book published in 1989 Elie Kirk 350 years 1639 to 1989 by David Thomson provides a detailed history of the Church and local history - available from Elie Library and Elie & Earlsferry History Society.
The church is surrounded on three sides by its historic churchyard which has many fine family gravestones and monuments - ref canmore.org.uk and other sources.