Alvah Church

1792, renovated 1882 with additions and alterations probably by A and W Reid of Elgin, circa 1900. Rectangular-plan, 4-bay church with gabled porch to W, later vestry addition (1882) adjoining at right angles to N. Harled with ashlar margins; Turriff sandstone dressings to vestry.

W ELEVATION: boarded door in S re-entrant angle of gabled porch, window with hoodmould to N. Window to gablehead above. Re-used, ashlar, corniced birdcage bellcote to gable dated 1645, with round-arched openings, stepped pyramidal roof and ball finial. Bell now in Banff (see notes).

S ELEVATION: 4-bay. Early 18th century memorial to Ogilvy(?) family set in wall to centre; plaque flanked by engaged composite columns, cornice and shaped pediment encompassing portrait head, surmounted by urn. Memorial flanked by 2 tall windows, 2 smaller windows to outer bays.

E ELEVATION: door to gable at ground, window to gallery above. Window to vestry with Ogilvy arms plaque to right.

N ELEVATION: lower, single storey vestry; door to W with strip fanlight, window to left and to church to right. Sash and case windows with 12-, 20- and 30-pane glazing patterns. Grey slates, ashlar coped skews, ball finials to gables.

INTERIOR: remodelled circa 1880; panelled pulpit to S with decorative timber balustrade to shops, low arcaded timber screens, gallery supported by cast-iron columns to 3 walls. Boarded dado. Painted walls and flat ceiling.

GRAVEYARD: ashlar gablet-coped retaining walls, gatepiers and cast- and wrought-iron gates to E and W, fleur-de-lys finials. Some 18th century gravestones (see Anton).

OGILVY BURIAL ENCLOSURE: Egyptian-style, square-plan/walled enclosure. Harled rubble with ashlar dressings; base course, eaves course, coping. Battered doorway in advanced, pedimented panel incorporating heraldic bearing. Uncarved acroteria to pediment and corners.