The Friends of Leith Church invite you to participate in the maintenance and restoration of this historic 'Auld Kirk' by attending the many events and concerts planned for this year. We have purposely retained our traditional low-ticket prices in order to build an audience for The Leith Summer Festival, which continues to feature some of the finest artists performing today in Canada. From CEILIDH to CHRISTMAS we present a menu of services, performances and activities that will provide a wonderful introduction to the outstanding acoustics and beauty of our heritage church and its surroundings.

Sunday May 23 [2:30 pm] - 12th Annual Memorial Service and Cemetery Decoration Day

This Annual Memorial service presents an opportunity to both honour and remember those who are interred in the Leith Cemetery. It is also an opportunity to attend to the presentation and maintenance of the grave sites.

It has become customary for the Friends of Leith Church to designate the graves of those who have served in Canada's military - from the Fenian Raids of the 1860's to the Armed Forces of the 21st century - with the placement of special flags or markers. Historical tributes to families represented in the cemetery are incorporated into the Memorial Service.

Friday May 28 [7:30 pm] - Steinacher Bursary Concert
Six years ago at the annual 'Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols', the Friends of Leith Church announced the first recipient of its bursary for advanced music students in the northern Grey-Bruce area, named in honour of the well known Owen Sound musician, teacher and co-founder of the Georgian Bay Symphony Orchestra, Donna Steinacher. Four amazingly talented young area musicians have received and benefited from this significant Canadian Bursary since its inception. The honouree for 2010 is ?.
The Donna Steinacher Bursary, although sponsored by The Friends of Leith Church, has on its organizing and awards committee many well known musicians and arts patrons from the Owen Sound and Meaford area. The recipient of the bursary must be a resident of northern Grey-Bruce counties and will usually be a graduate, or music student soon to graduate, from a baccalaureate level university music program with the intention of pursuing further studies in music performance at the post-graduate level. It can be presented on an annual basis and is valued at up to five thousand dollars, the exact amount to be determined by a combination of concert ticket sales, sponsorship and donations. The generosity of local music lovers and sponsors has assured that all the recipients to date have received the full five thousand dollar amount.

Tickets are $25 and available from members of the Donna Steinacher Bursary committee, the Downtown Bookstore, Georgian Bay Symphony office, La Pastorale or by phone at 519-371-5316. Ticket purchasers who donate additional funds of $25 or more to the Bursary will receive an income tax charitable donation receipt for that amount and an invitation to the post-concert reception.

** Saturday July 3rd [ 7:30 pm] - LEITH SUMMER FESTIVAL - Concert One - Duo Concertante

Saturday July 17th [ 10 am - 4 pm ] 7th Annual Country Market

'Under The Tent' local artists, artisans, authors, and antiques - at the Leith church. Come and visit the Country Market
Vendor's application available here.

** Saturday July 17th [ 7:30 pm] - LEITH SUMMER FESTIVAL - Concert Two - Brett Polegato

Tom Thomson

There will be fiddle music, bagpipes and Scottish dancing. An evening of fun, emotion, celebration and joy at Leith.
Bring the whole family, chairs or blankets, perhaps a picnic, and prepare to enjoy yourselves in the beautiful setting of the Leith Heritage Cemetery. Admission is free but a collection will be taken to support the continuing restoration and maintenance of Historic Leith Church. In the event of rain, the Ceilidh will move indoors, but seating will be limited to the first 200 persons.

** Sunday July 31st [ 7:30 pm] - LEITH SUMMER FESTIVAL - Concert Three - Chris Donnelly

Sunday August 1st [ 11:30 am] - Historic Leith Church Anniversary Service and 'Lunch Under the Oak'

This annual service of worship will celebrate the 144th anniversary of the restored Leith United Church building and the 147th anniversary of its establishment as a Church of Scotland (Auld Kirk) congregation by its pioneer founders in the summer of 1862.
Following worship, the traditional 'Lunch Under the Oak' will be served; a congenial time of food and fellowship. Collection only.

** Saturday August 14th [ 7:30 pm] - LEITH SUMMER FESTIVAL - Concert Four - Penderecki String Quartet

** Saturday August 28th [ 7:30 pm] - LEITH SUMMER FESTIVAL - Concert Five - Duo Gelato

September 11th and 12th [2-4] - Doors Open Meaford

Friday September 17th [evening] & Sunday 19th [afternoon] - SweetWater Music Weekend

Featuring Amati String Quartet - Georgian Bay Children's Choir Touring Ensemble - Jennifer Potter, soprano soloist and Special Guest Readers. Join us in the lamplit beauty and warmth of Leith’s ‘Auld Kirk’ to hear again the story of the birth of Christ in word and song. The lessons will be read by members of the North Grey community and there will be congregational carol singing of many old favourites.

This is a very popular event and as seating is limited to 150 persons, we suggest an early arrival to ensure a place. The recipient of the 2011 Donna Steinacher Bursary will be announced. Tickets are not needed.

Second Tuesday of each month (unless noted) 'Fiddle Jams'

At 1:00 pm - Jan 12th/2010, Feb 9th, Mar 9th

At 7:00 pm - Apr 13th, May 11th, Jun 8th, Jul 13th, Aug 10th, Sep 14th, Oct 12th

At 1:00 pm - Nov 9th , Dec 14th, Jan 11th/2011, Feb 8th/2011

- donations only.