St. Thomas' Church, Keith. A History and Guide

By Ron Smith

St. Thomas' Roman Catholic Church in Keith, Banffshire Scotland, is a very attractive building with a fascinating history. The majority of the finance for the construction came from King Charles X of France, and the huge oil painting that is the altar piece was painted by the royal painter, Francois Dubois. Built in 1831, the Church sits on the highest point in Keith, and its copper dome is a landmark. This book provides a glimpse into the history of this magnificent church, the various priests who have served here over the centuries, the shrine to St. John Ogilvie and his chapel (Scotland's only post-Reformation Saint who was born in Keith) and includes many pictures of this most attractive and vibrant place of worship.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rocket Systems
• Release date: Mar 21, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311379528

Ron Smith

Ron Smith is the author of eleven books on management issues, business improvement, and business history. He lives in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Book preview

St. Thomas’ Church Keith.

A History and Guide.

By Ron Smith

First published in 20135

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© Copyright 2015 Ron Smith

The right of Ron Smith to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

This book is available in print direct from the author.

Published by Ron Smith at Smashwords

Sponsors of this Publication.

This book has been prepared by parishioners of St. Thomas’ Church, Keith and we are very grateful indeed for the generous sponsorship from the two organisations below, that has allowed this book to be printed and published. Their support is very much appreciated.

As a family and a business, Baxters has a long history of supporting good causes. The Gordon & Ena Baxter Foundation was set up several years ago to continue this work and to provide funding to assist various charities and worthy causes in the North of Scotland.

Frank S. McLean & Son Ltd.

Funeral Directors, Monumental Masons, Private Chapels of Rest.

Keith, Buckie, Aberlour.

Philip and Nicola Mclean are great supporters of Keith and its community, and are delighted to support the publication of this valuable record of St. Thomas’ Church.

Foreword

St. Thomas’ Roman Catholic Church in Keith, Banffshire, Scotland sits proudly on the highest point of the town of Keith. It is a very attractive building, especially the interior decoration which is full of light.

It is a Grade 1 Listed Building.

There is much of interest, including the unusual way that its original construction was financed. We hope that you will find this history and guide interesting and illuminating, and that it will add to your pleasure of discovering our church.

This book has been produced in readiness for the commemoration of the death of St. John Ogilvie on 10th March 1615 in Glasgow, which we will remember in 2015.

The original booklet of the history of our Church was compiled in 1981 by two erudite and intelligent men, who have sadly passed on. Mr. J. Doyle and Mr. J. Oates researched the history from a great