Portgordon Methodist Church, Gordon Street, Portgordon, Buckie, AB56 5QR
Minister : Rev Andrew Webb
Portgordon was one of the most fruitful fields of James Turner's labours. When Methodist meetings were begun in Portessie, many of the converts walked to and from Portessie every Sunday in order to hear the 'Methodist Gospel'. Others who still remained within the Prebyterian fold continued to hold 'revival meetings' in the school hall. At length the proprietor of the building threatened to close it down if the revival element were not eliminated. Thereupon it was proposed to build a new hall for general public use.
After much heartache with regard to premises, there were 27 Portgordon people who were members of the Portessie Society and it was thought that they were sufficiently strong to commence a Society in Portgordon.
John Hendry, a fisherman, came to the rescue by opening his garrett for the use of the Methodists and, for two or three years, services were regularly held in this humble room. The little band had to face a good deal of persecution at first but the Society in the garrett began to prosper and was soon in a position to call a Minister, which request was granted by conference in 1872.
In 1873 a scheme was set on foot for the building of a chapel. The stones used in the building were carried by the fishermen and their wives in their creels and, on 28th May 1873, the foundation stone was laid. In a cavity of the foundation stone was deposited a bottle containing a list of the Trustees, a list of the 56 members, copies of the Methodist Recorder and Banffshire Journal, and specimens of current coins.
The present building was opened two years later in 1874 - a handsome and commodious structure of gothic design, with seating for 400. Soon after its opening, a prayer meeting had been held until 2am with a consequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit and revival lasting for many weeks and membership had quickly risen from 56 to 103.
(The Romance of Banffshire Methodism by Wesley Swift)
Today there are 28 members with an average Sunday attendance of 20. There is plenty of interaction with the Church of Scotland in the form of United Services and the Church of Scotland Sunday School meets in the hall. There is also a thriving Youth Club.
The following is taken from the Minute of the Circuit Meeting of the 11th March 1995 at which Rev Paul Jackson, the then minister, gave an outline of the up-to-date situation of the church that the Members were sitting in :-
'Rev Paul Jackson told us that he was the 43rd Minister at Portgordon in 123 years. In 1872 the first Minister had been appointed with the present building being opened two years later in 1874 with seating for 400. A prayer meeting had been held until 2am with a consequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit and revival lasting for many weeks. Membership had quickly risen from 56 to 103.
Today there are 28 members with an average Sunday attendance of 19. There is plenty of interaction with the Church of Scotland in the form of United Services and the Church of Scotland Sunday School meets in the hall.'