The present building is relatively modern. Its foundation stone was laid on 17th August 1904 and the building was first opened for worship on 28th February 1906.

It was designed by architect John Robertson of Inverness and is in Neo-Gothic style. The building cost £9,600 at that time and now has a current insurance value of over five and a half million pounds.

The stone came from Newton Quarries, and the stonework is a fine example of the stonemason's craft, which, at least on this scale, is no longer practised in Scotland today.

The main tower and spire reach a height of 120 feet and major repairs on the spire and roof pinnacles etc cost over £23,000 in early 1990.

The interior of the church has many features not commonly found in a Church of Scotland building. The marble Baptismal Font (a copy of its prototype in Dryburgh Abbey), within what is in effect a private Baptistry the marble Communion Table, in design and position more akin to an Anglican Altar, and the great brass Eagle Lectern. All these reflect the ideas of Rev Alexander C Buchanan, minister of the parish from 1899 - 1912, who later left the Church of Scotland to become a priest in the Scottish Episcopal Church.

The Stained Glass Windows
On Sunday 3rd September 1922, the two stained glass windows at each gable end of the building were unveiled and dedicated.

The Right Honourable Viscount Finlay of Nairn unveiled the window above the Chancel in memory of those connected with the Congregation who gave their lives in the Great War 1914-1919.

The three-light War Memorial Window in the Chancel portrays three bold upstanding figures, viz., Christ the Consolator in the centre, with Courage on the left and Victory on the right.

Mrs Grant of Glenmorriston Edinburgh unveiled the window above the main entrance in memory of the Rev Dr James Keith, who was Minister of the Parish of Forres for 53 years, from 1852 to 1905).

The service was conducted by The Very Reverend J A M'Clymont, CBE, VD, DD., convener of the General Assembly's Committee on Chaplains to his Majesty's Forces, assisted by Rev W P Wishart, BD., Minister of the Parish.

Both windows are the work of Percy C Bacon, London.

The window at the east end was donated by the late Sir Alexander Grant, Bart., of Forres, to the memory of Dr Keith.

The other stained glass windows are the work of the late Dr Douglas Strachan, Edinburgh and were commissioned by Sir Alexander and Lady Grant. They are gleaming gems of artistry and colour, perfect in conception, design and execution.

The three-light Nativity Window on the south wall was erected in 1931 to the memory of their daughter, Mrs Elizabeth Laing, and the window in the Baptistry with the appropriate inscription, "Suffer the little children to come unto me," was dedicated in 1932.

The centre light bears a representation of the Annunciation, carried out mainly in blues and greens. The figure of Mary is seen seated in the centre of the design, which bears the inscription, "The Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women."

The light on the right is a representation of King David as musician and poet, backed by figures of warrior and priest, with the ark above.

The light on the left gives the vision of Isaiah, based on the 6th chapter of the book of the prophet, the altar and the seraphim being carried on into the top of the centre light.

The Crucifixion Window

This is dominated by the figure of Christ on the cross, with John and Mary at the foot.

The details and environment are so arranged as to give an effect of unity as well as richness of colour and pattern.

Below the main design is the pelican, symbol of sacrifice, and an inset depicting the washing of the disciples' feet.

The Resurrection Window.

In the upper portion there is a dramatic recognition of Christ in the garden by Mary Magdalene. The three crosses of Calvary are seen in the distance in the upper portion of the window.

A series of steps is introduced, on the lower portion of which is the figure or Mary, robed in rich red, gazing upwards in wonder at the face of Christ, who stands, arrayed in white garments, at the top of the flight. Below the steps is an open tomb, with the figure of an angel

In the lowest portion of the window is the Phoenix, the emblem of immortality , and at the foot, Christ is sitting at supper with the two disciples in their home village of Emmaus.

In the Chancel stands a copper Memorial Chalice designed by Forres artist Harold Gordon commemorating those in the parish who died in the 1939-1945 war.

The Cross above the Communion Table was originally made of Sicilian marble but this was broken many years ago and was so badly damaged that it was considered beyond repair and was replaced with a stone cross.

The octagonal Pulpit of Caen Stone and the beautifully crafted Pitch Pine Ceiling combine with those features previously mentioned to make St. Laurence Church a place of special beauty, with an atmosphere particularly conducive to worship and tranquility of spirit.

The Church has two large bells, both weighing approximately four hundredweight. The first measures 2 feet in diameter, is sweet-toned and carries the Latin inscription "Si Deus pro nobis qui contra nos, 1682" (if God be for us who can be against us). The second is smaller and shriller in tone and bears the words "William Chapman fecit, 1781 ". A chime of eight tuning bells, gifted by William Douglas of Lenzie, has been played by successive generations of teenagers as people gather for Sunday worship.

From its installation in 1905 when it cost £500, the three-manual Lawton Pipe Organ, with its full rich tone has led the congregation's praise of God. It has required two major repairs in the last thirty years. In 1964 approximately £7,000 was spent, and in 1989 a full overhaul was carried out at a cost of £32,000. To replace it with an instrument of equal quality would, at today's prices, cost £350,000 or more.

In 1997/1998 the Church was completely re-wired and new lighting installed, and the subsidiary heating was also re-wired. The pitch pine ceiling can now been seen to its best advantage and with the anonymous gift of carpeting to the main aisles and Meeting Area the interior look of the Church has been greatly enhanced.

Today's congregation numbers approximately 900 made up of full communicant members, adherents (regular worshippers) and supplementary roll members. It represents a fair cross-section of the ages, employment and backgrounds of modern Forresians. Its life and witness is led by its Kirk Session (Minister and Elders), and a Congregational Board, elected by the congregation, administers its finances and property. In its worship and other activities the aim is to strengthen people's faith, and to encourage service of Christ in today's world. St. Laurence is part of the Presbytery of Moray.

In 1999 the congregation began a fund-raising campaign to restore both St. Laurence Church and the Church Hall (formerly Castlehill Church) at an estimated cost of £600,000. If you have appreciated the beauty of this church and wish to make a donation to the 'Fabric Fund' please place your donation in the Collection Box or send your donation to Dr. Douglas Murray, Sunnyknowe, Sanquhar Road, Forres, Moray IV36 1DG.