Banff Methodist Church, Seafield Street,
Banff, AB45 1DS
Banff Methodist Church is part of the same North of Scotland Mission circuit as the Peterhead Church so we offer some information about the historical connections between the two churches and others in the same circuit.
For more up to date information on Banff Methodist Church please go to their own website to find details of current activities services etc.
http://www.moraycoastmethodistchurches.org.uk/page7.htm
The following is taken from the Minute of the Circuit Meeting of the 14th March 1998 at which Rev Andrew Webb, the then Minister, gave an outline of the up-to-date situation of the church that the Members were sitting in :
'John Wesley paid 3 visits to Banff and, on two of those occasions, he preached in the town. On 20th May 1776 he preached on Battery Green and stayed in a house at the bottom of Straight Path, now known as Wesley House. The following morning he preached at the Episcopal Chapel. This time he only stayed in Banff for a short while before going on to Lady Banff's home - Forglen House near Turriff.
It was after the first of these visits that the Methodist Society became established in 1777. By 1779 there were Methodist Societies at Banff, Buckie, Elgin and Keith, however, these declined during the early part of the 19th century and, by 1835, there was only the Banff Society left.
The present building is actually the third church to have been built by the Methodist worshippers of Banff and so there has been a Methodist presence in this town for 221 years.
Until 1876 all the coast societies were within the Banff Circuit, although from then until 1901, Banff and Whitehills became a single station. It was during that time that the present building was opened - in 1878 - as the Banff Wesleyan Chapel. In 1901 the Banff and Portessie Circuits joined, also taking in Peterhead and, in 1905, Aberdeen joined what was now known as the North of Scotland Mission Circuit.
Until 1909 Banff and Whitehills had their own Minister but, after this, Banff was linked with Portessie and then, in 1990 with Buckie and Portgordon.
You will be able to find a more up to date picture of this friendly and caring Methodist church in Banff by visiting their own website at
http://www.moraycoastmethodistchurches.org.uk/page7.htm
Discover Banff
This delightful former county town and Royal Burgh standing at the mouth of the River Deveron, has a pronounced 18th century character, yet its history dates back to 1120. It was one of the Hanseatic trading towns of the 12th century, and Robert the Bruce granted it a charter in 1324. It remained an important trading and fishing town into the 19th century, with 30,000 barrels of herring being cured annually in the 1830s.
The fishing has since shifted across the bay to Macduff, and the harbour is now busy with sailing craft, but many old fishermen's cottages remain in the northern part of the town. The town itself remains an administrative and shopping centre and is justifiably popular among tourists, many of whom return year after year.
The River Deveron attracts enthusiastic fishermen, and alongside it is the championship golf course of Duff House Royal. The majestic mansion of Duff House stands among trees nearby.
The Moray Firth area enjoys a relatively dry and mild climate and, during the summer, beautiful sunsets may often be seen across the firth from Banff, with the hills of Caithness in the distance (over 50 miles away). The beach at Banff Links, adjacent to the caravan site, is a long stretch of clean, golden sand and there is safe bathing in certain sections of the sea. Both here, and in Banff itself, are cafes, hotels and recreational facilities for the visitor.
Along the coast and inland are many beautiful walks to Knock Head, Boyne Castle and Boyndie Bay, or from Duff House through woodland to the romantic Bridge of Alvah. The visitor can choose between peaceful countryside with sheltered woods and hedgerows that are laden with berries in the autumn, and beach or cliff walks offering views of the spectacular coast and its bird life. For those wishing to tour by car, Banff is an ideal base, with distilleries, castles, country parks, craft work shops and mountains all within reasonable travelling distance.
Banff owes much to the determined work of the Banff Preservation Society, formed in 1965, in restoring many of its fine old buildings and ensuring that its architectural character has not been lost. Now much of the town lies within a conservation area, and visitors will enjoy exploring its narrow streets and sloping paths with the help of the Society's booklet "Royal and Ancient Banff", available from the Tourist Information Centre.