Strathy kirk celebrates centenary
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Worshippers at Strathy Church of Scotland are preparing to celebrate the centenary of the building.
A special service and a ceilidh are being held to mark the milestone early next month.
The church, prominently sited on the eastern approach to the village, was built for the United Free Church.
Following the union with the kirk in 1929, the first minister of the new merged congregation, the Rev John MacKenzie, was inducted
three years later.
In 2006, Strathy & Halladale united with Reay to become the North Coast Parish within Caithness Presbytery.
Apart from some alterations completed around 1975 providing a kitchen, toilet and a meeting room, the building stands largely as it was built.
It is regularly used for worship as well as funerals, weddings and meetings.
The congregation is marking the centenary with an evening ceilidh in the village hall on Saturday, 9th July and a Songs of Praise service the following day.
At the ceilidh, it is planned to display photos of couples who were married in Strathy church and also of children who were baptised.
Church deacon Janet Anderson, who is interim moderator in the continuing absence of a permanent minister, is looking forward to the weekend.
She said: "The ceilidh is one to which we hope folks from near and
far with links to the area will come to renew friendships, share stories, enjoy the music and singing and enjoy a finger buffet and a wee quiz, with prizes."
There is no charge though donations are invited towards the Friends of Achvarasdal.
