AFTER 125 years in the community, Lochgelly Salvation Army is set to shut down.
It's been on the go since 1899 and the unexpected news that it's set to close was announced on its Facebook page.
The post said: "It is with sadness that I write this post to inform you that the decision has been made within the Salvation Army to close the corps/church in Lochgelly after 125 years of serving our local community.
"I am sure that many of you will also be shocked and sad to hear this news.
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"Our community programme will continue until the end of June, the last week of this commencing on June 24.
"After this point, there will be no Salvation Army activities during the week but there will be Sunday worship right up until Sunday August 11."
It comes just one month before the community fun day to celebrate 125 years of operation in the town and it is urging as many people as possible to come along and help mark the occasion.
The Salvation Army said: "We will be having a community fun day to celebrate 125 years in Lochgelly on Saturday July 6 with a bouncy castle, home baking and stalls.
"All funds will go to the Salvation Army’s Christmas toy appeal in Fife, which will still help families in Lochgelly at Christmas.
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"Our valedictory (closing) service will be on Saturday August 17 at 4pm.
"We hope to see many of you there to thank God for the work of the Salvation Army but also for what he will continue to do through us for the people of Lochgelly.
"If you have any concerns or worries regarding the closure, please get in contact by messaging the page or emailing lochgelly@salvationarmy.org.uk"
The decision to close came after a recent review of the Lochgelly branch.
In a letter to the community, divisional envoy Kathryn Howe, the community mission facilitator, wrote: "This process has not been an easy one for the leadership team and it will not be easy for you as regular attenders of worship and our community programme.
"But it says in Isaiah 58:10: 'If you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.'
"This text is taken from our mission development plan for Lochgelly and I think it accurately describes what God has called us to do.
"To serve the needs in our town and the light of Jesus in us will rise. Lochgelly will rise as we continue to serve God, as his people in our community which might look a bit different without a building.
"My challenge to you is, keep that in your mind as we prepare to close our physical doors, lets continue to open the doors in our own lives and serve God through our everyday lives and God will use that to build his Kingdom here in Lochgelly!"
The fun day will take place from 11am to 1pm at the Lochgelly Salvation Army on Auchterderran Road and costs just £2 per family.
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