Moray HER - NJ45SW0025 - ST THOMAS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, KEITH

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Main Details

Primary ReferenceNJ45SW0025
NameST THOMAS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, KEITH
NRHE Card No.NJ45SW68
NRHE Numlink 194287
HES SM No. NULL
HES LB No. 35623
Site Form Standing Structure
Site Condition Complete 1
Details Roman Catholic Church, and presbytery. It was built in 1830-1 by William Robertson for Father Walter Lovi, and opened on the 1st of August 1831. A dome was added, and there was an enlarged sanctuary and internal decoration done by C J Menart, Glasgow, in 1916. It is a neo-classical, Baroque Roman Catholic Church, incorporating a two-storey presbytery at the rear (West). The church is cruciform, with a three-bay polished ashlar East front and rubble flanks, with ashlar margins and dressings. There is a three-bay pilastered entrance, with a central bay that is slightly advanced that has two stages, each one delineated by paired pilasters. The upper stage is pedimented, and is flanked at each side by decorative scrolled consoles. The centre entrance is flanked by corniced panels, with inset round-headed niches that are each housing a statue. There is an inscription on the frontage that reads 'Columna et Firmametum Veritatis'. A substantial octagonal, facetted, copper covered, concrete dome spans the crossing, with a shaped lunette in each face and an apex cross finial. There are two round-headed windows in the North and South transepts. The rear two bays incorporate the presbytery, with two windows at each floor, including a dormerless attic in the West gable. There is a projecting two-storey canted window at the South-West, with two-pane glazing, a ridge stack and slate roofs. There is a 1916 Corinthian pilastered interior. A pilastered and pedimented panel incorporates Francois Dubois's painting 'The Incredulity of St Thomas' as an altarpiece. The painting was gifted to Father Lovi by Charles X of France. There is a deep main cornice, and simple plaster details to the dome interior. The church and presbytery are enclosed by a coped rubble wall. There is a gallery at the East end with a plain front, and pine pews. The church/hall was used during World War II as billets, and for ENSA concerts.
Last Update13/06/2023
Updated Bycpalmer
Compiler 
Date of Compilation 

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National Grid Reference: NJ 4297 5023



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Monument Types

Monument Type 1Monument Type 2Monument Type 3OrderProbability
ROOFSSLATE Z100
WALLSRUBBLECOPEDAA100
CHURCHES CRUCIFORMA100
CHURCHES NEO-CLASSICALB100
CHURCHES CATHOLICC100
PRESBYTERIES  D100
ENTRANCES PILASTEREDE100
CONSOLES SCROLLEDF100
DOORPIECES PEDIMENTEDG100
PANELS CORNICEDH100
NICHES ROUND-HEADEDI100
STATUES  J100
DOMESOCTAGONALFACETTEDK100
DOMES CONCRETEL100
LUNETTES SHAPEDM100
FINIALSCROSSAPEXN100
TRANSEPTS  O100
WINDOWS ROUND-HEADEDP100
WINDOWS CANTEDQ100
STACKSRIDGE R100
PANELS PEDIMENTEDS100
ALTARS  T100
PAINTINGS  U100
GALLERIES PLAINV100
PEWS PINEW100
DOMES COPPER-CAPPEDX100
BILLETSWORLD WAR II Y100