A Moray church will hit the high notes with a musical celebration to commemorate its bicentenary.
St Rufus Church in Keith is marking its 200th birthday with a programme of events that highlights the work and history of the long-standing institute.
Keith and District Silver Band, Strathisla Pipe Band and versatile church organist Iain Carr will add their own sounds to the week-long celebrations.
The bicentennial commemorations will run from March 10 until March 17.
Nicola Smith, session clerk, was excited to welcome the local community to come and join them to help celebrate a huge milestone for the church.
She said: “We’re really proud that our church has reached its 200th birthday and this is certainly a milestone worth celebrating.
“Our bicentenary committee has pulled out all the stops and come up with a busy week of events and we extend a warm welcome to the whole community to come and join us.”
The programme kicks off on March 10 when the Keith and District Silver Band will perform at morning worship.
Throughout the week there will be various events put on, including a youth-led evening service and thanksgiving service, concerts and a coffee morning.
The celebrations will then conclude with Strathisla Pipe Band playing outside the church for worshippers.
The church will be open for tours and a chance to view an exhibition of photos, press cuttings and memorabilia and light refreshments will be available and there will be Rufus 200 merchandise to purchase.
St Rufus Church was officially opened in 1819 and designed to seat 1,600 people and cost £6,400, with a large part of that funded by the Earl of Sheffield whose coat of arms appear on the gallery.
Today, St Rufus is united with Botriphnie and Grange and has a combined membership of 850.
The charge has been vacant since 2015 but its nominating committee is working hard to find its next minister.
Reverend Sonia Palmer, the interim moderator, said: “Kirk of Keith: St Rufus, Botriphnie and Grange may be lacking in a minister, but its members are not lacking in energy, drive and vision to recognise the role the church has played in its parish for the past 200 years.
“St Rufus is a beautiful building that is home to an active and hard-working congregation, and members of the bicentenary committee have put in a lot of time and effort to come up with a packed week of celebrations. We extend the hand of friendship to all to come and join the celebrations.”
