Description

1820, alterations and additions, R B Pratt, Elgin, 1901.

Rectangular harl pointed rubble church, tooled ashlar

dressings. Long S facing elevation with pair large

round-headed windows flanked by entrances in outer bays

each with round-headed fanlight and double-leaf plank doors. Square-headed gallery window in each gable under relieving arch. Ball-finialled bellcote at W gable apex (re-used from old

church, Keith); re-hung 1753 bell; ball finial at E apex.

1901. Minister's room extends at E gable. Single storey,

2 bays with round-headed door and window.

1901 glazing throughout. Slate roofs.

1986 extension at rear of Minister's room.

INTERIOR: original galleried lay-out. 5-sided gallery

supported by cast-iron columns; original field-panel front

with Gordon-Duff armorials inset at centre. 19th century

mural monuments.

BURIAL GROUND: semi-circular rubble walled burial ground

fronts church with some up-standing remains of 1617 (and

possibly earlier) church now re-used as burial enclosure

with various exceptionally good mural monuments dated

1667, 1727 and 1758. 17th century and subsequent tombstones.

Simple entrance to burial ground closed by pair cast-iron

spearhead carriage gates.

MURAL MONUMENTS IN RUINOUS OLD CHURCH;

1667; commemorating Ann Gordon and Katherine Leslie, sited on

E wall, a Corinthianesque aedicule with good 17th century

lettering and enriched frieze.

1727, commemorating Reverend George Chalmers, sited on W,

wall, Roman Doric aedicule with pulvinated frieze, broken

segmental armorial pediment and finely carved nimbus flanking

a bible containing a white marble tablet in black frame.

1758, commemorating Helen Chalmers, sited on S wall, Ionic

pilastered and pedimented aedicule.

Undated 18th century panel to John Stewart on exterior

of S wall.

Statement of Interest

Ecclesiastical building in use as such.

Bellcote at old church Keith superseded when new St Rufus

church, with substantial tower, was opened circa 1819. In it

hangs bell cast in 1753 by John Mowat of Old Aberdeen.

Very fine mural monuments in old church (ruin).

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17829650

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Norfolk 1: Norwich and North-East: Norwich and North-east v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Sussex: East with Brighton and Hove (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Northumberland (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of History Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  This Old House: Restoring, Rehabilitating, and Renovating an Older House
• 
  Georgian Style and Design for Contemporary Living