Portessie Methodist Church, Chancellor Road, Portessie, Buckie, AB56 1TD
Portessie Methodist Church is another church with strong historical links with Peterhead Methodist due to the work of Peterhead based Evangelist James Turner. You can read more about him and his work throughout North East Scotland Mission Circuit here. James Turner of Peterhead Methodist Church
If you are looking for up to date information on Portessie Methodist Church you will find by clicking the link below.
http://www.moraycoastmethodistchurches.org.uk/page5.htm
Historical overview of Portessie Methodist church
The following is taken from the Minute of the Circuit Meeting of the 15th March 1997 at which Rev Malcolm Newman, the then Minister, gave an outline of the up-to-date situation of the church that the Members were sitting in :-
'It is with humble privilege that I stand here as the present Minister of this fine 'CATHEDRAL OF THE MORAY COAST', a church that has always been : for the people; upheld by the people, served by the people'. Through its doors many folk have come and many have found their Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The guts and determination of its people are shaped and formed by the environment which both surrounds and forms its very being. The sea has never been far from the door of this church and, to that self-same sea, its people have gone, scraped a living, died in it, come home from it, taken a silver harvest and now a black, oily one . . . but the sea remains tough and uncompromising . . . the same yesterday, today . . . .
The evangelist, James Turner, was a great influence on this area. An individual who is reported as saying: 'I have not been to College; but I have been with Jesus! and He has sent me to PREACH THE GOSPEL!'
That evangelistic fervour cascaded into this village of Portessie, and even in the teeth of biting winds, the fellowship of the people called Methodists would meet in a building standing only a few yards from the ocean, and without doors or windows . . . another house was eventually found, but that same power of the Spirit of God was abound in a mighty form, and even in those humble surroundings the Lord greatly blessed those assembled in His name.
Although, after this strong revival under James Turner, many took to the Presbyterian cause, there were 9 young men and women who remained 'Methodist', and with meetings in a house in Peter Hythe, a Pentecostal experience was shared. The number increased to 40 and, although an initial application for a Minister was turned down, the Lord kept adding to their number and, eventually, in 1864, Rev Thomas Major was appointed. Despite severe financial constraints, the building proceeded as did the increase in numbers, until God's providence on 23rd December 1866, the 'church doon the brae' was opened, 130 years ago.
The opening services were attended by crowded congregations and, at every service, men and women were won for Christ . . . the 'Lord added to the church daily' and soon the membership was 140.
One year after this event, Rev Major died and this testimony was recorded of him:
'He found a few earnest but scattered people without place to worship in; he left them a Society well organised and equipped, four-fold in number and with a handsome chapel free from debt. In ages to come the chapel may be a lonely ruin on a lonely shore, but a multitude of the redeemed will be his crown and joy for ever.'
From Portessie the word spread earnestly westwards to Buckie and Portgordon and eastwards to Findochty . . . 'bring the flame of one lighted candle into contact with the unlighted wick of another, and the second one is set on fire!'
So we outgrew the first church and are now in this magnificent building opened on 22nd March 1913. It has been recorded that, the church at Portessie has well maintained the tradition of its early days, when it became the spiritual mother of so many stalwart daughters.
AND, AS FOR TODAY ?
As I add my chapter to ministry in this place and hear of all 'the worthies' who have preceded me, I wonder . . . I have been greatly blessed with a group of God's people who seek to sustain and maintain the cause of Christ in and from this place . . .
Find out even more up to date information on Portessie Methodist Church by clicking the link below which will take you to their new website.
http://www.moraycoastmethodistchurches.org.uk/page5.htm