Forres church St Laurence celebrated by Moray author John Sutherland
Moray’s most prolific historian has turned his hand to photography to honour a beautiful church that will soon no longer be a place of worship.
John Sutherland has written more than 20 books on various local subjects, ranging from Elgin ghost stories to the histories of prominent buildings.
The 65-year-old’s latest offering is a calendar for 2025, featuring a dozen pictures he’s taken of St Laurence in Forres which is due to close at the end of this year
John, who moved from Elgin a couple of years ago, is now a member of the church’s congregation.
He said: “To me it’s more than a church, it’s a miniature cathedral. St Laurence is an architectural jewel and its stain glass windows are world-famous.”
A meeting was held last week regarding what other uses the building could be put to when it ceases to be a church.
Amongst the suggestions were a venue for musical events or weddings, a stained glass workshop and a exhibition centre. Glasgow School of Art, which has a campus three miles down the road on the Altyre estate, will also be approached.
A follow-up meeting is set to take place at some point during September.
John said: “I don’t know what’s going to happen. What I hope though is that St Laurence doesn’t end up like the former Castlehill Church opposite, with pigeons roosting and trees growing out of it.
“What a tragedy that would be.”
St Laurence opened in 1906 after being built for the grand cost of £9600.
However earlier churches have stood on the site since the 13th Century.
The calendar is on sale from the Alzheimer Scotland shop on Forres High Street. The cost is £7.50, with £5 covering John’s printing costs and the rest going towards researching the medical condition.
