New chapter as historic Moray church reopens

St Gregorys - two year closure for repairs is over
St Gregory’s – two year closure for repairs is over

A TWO YEAR renovation project to restore the roof of St Gregory’s Church at Preshome was celebrated this week with an opening mass conducted by the Bishop of Aberdeen, Hugh Gilbert.

The church, first built in 1788, serves the St Peter’s Pastoral area of Buckie, Fochabers, Tynet and Presthome and is believed to be one of the first post-Reformation churches in Scotland.

Because of its remote location it offered Catholics protection during the persecution of the 17th and 18th centuries. Conducting the opening mass with Bishop Gilbert was Father Tad Turski, who expressed his delight at seeing the historic church open its doors once again.

He said: “The church has great historical value and significance to Catholics particularly in this area – but also for those across the north of Scotland.

“It is very visually beautiful and was one of the first churches built after the reformation – it is valuable on many different levels and not just in the spiritual sense.”

Catholics from Buckie, Elgin, Keith and Fochabers attended the opening mass and it is now expected that mass will be celebrated monthly throughout the summer at Preshome.