A simple Georgian red-sandstone church became a record of three prominent architectural practices through successive enlargement, bellcote work and internal reconstruction.
Quick facts
- Date
- 1794; enlarged 1830; major work in 1875 and 1914
- Architect / designer
- William Smith; James Duncan; A. Marshall Mackenzie
- Type
- Red-sandstone Georgian parish church with later bellcote and reconstructed interior
- Designation
- Listed building, Category B (LB42162)
- OS grid reference
- NJ 72343 50099
Architecture, archaeology and continuing use
The core is a round-arched rectangular church with red ashlar walls, quoined angles and a Venetian window in the end gable. A pedimented bellcote rises above, while later chancel work and reconstruction changed the worship space within.
Its story
Built in 1794, the church was enlarged to a T-plan in 1830. William Smith and James Duncan worked on the bellcote and additions in 1875, and A. Marshall Mackenzie comprehensively reconstructed the interior in 1914.
Why it is included
Category B listing recognises a long-lived parish church whose Georgian clarity and later architectural layers remain central to Turriff.
What to notice
- Round-arched Georgian openings.
- A Venetian window beneath the bellcote.
- Red ashlar and clearly defined quoined corners.
Reading the surroundings
Check current local information before entering, respect worship and community activity, and observe from public streets when the church is closed.
Timeline
- 1794 A new Georgian parish church opened on Church Street.
- 1830 Enlargement created a T-plan for a growing congregation.
- 1875 William Smith and James Duncan reshaped the bellcote and ancillary spaces.
- 1914 A. Marshall Mackenzie reconstructed the interior and added a chancel.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
The survival of each internal phase, present worship pattern and routine opening were not independently checked.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: Turriff Parish Church, LB42162 — Designation status, mapped location, date, fabric and architectural or archaeological interest.
- Trove designation: LB42162 — Parallel national record identity and archival context.
Location
OS grid reference NJ 72343 50099 · Location confidence: High: the national designation supplies an official mapped National Grid Reference; an additional source confirms record identity and archival context. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
Suggest a marker correction
Suggest a more accurate position
The teal marker is the current published position. The orange marker starts slightly to its right so both remain visible; this is only a visual starting position. Tap the correct place on the map or drag the orange marker. Sending this form creates a private review entry only; it does not move the published marker.
Check this area in Google Maps Choose the Satellite layer there if useful.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors. You can also enter checked coordinates below.