Lugar Parish Church celebrated its 150th anniversary with a dinner at Lochside House Hotel in Cumnock.

The Very Reverend Dr Angus Morrison and his wife Marion were guests of honour at the dinner and they also had the happy task of cutting a magnificent three tier cake to help mark this very special occasion.

The keynote speech was delivered by the Reverend Helen Cuthbert of New Cumnock Parish Church. Almost ninety people attended the dinner and they all enjoyed a wonderful evening with family, friends and colleagues.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, a service was held at Lugar Parish Church when The Very Reverend Dr Morrison preached a sermon to the congregation.

The church has recently undergone significant restoration with a new roof and refurbished bell tower and everyone present was delighted to hear the church bell ring out again after being silent for many years. Special thanks are extended to the Listed Places of Worship Roof Fund for their generous grant which made this possible in the Church’s 150th year.

The Reverend John Paterson, who is the Minister to both Old Cumnock Old Church in Cumnock Square and Lugar Parish Church said: ‘Lugar may be a relatively small congregation but it punches above its weight and should be commended for the work done on the wonderful refurbishment that has been achieved.

“The inside of the church building is next on the agenda for refurbishment and this will include a heritage information centre with exhibits highlighting William Baird, who gifted the church to the community in Lugar, the Covenanters and William Murdoch, a local engineer who pioneered the use of gas for domestic purposes.

“Once this refurbishment work has been completed it will enable the church to continue fit for purpose for another 150 years.”