Portgordon Methodist Church, Gordon Street, Portgordon, Buckie, AB56 5QR
This page is mainly about the history of Portgordon Methodist church and it connections with the Peterhead Church.
If you wnat to read information about what Portgordon is doing now please go to their own website by clicking below.
http://www.moraycoastmethodistchurches.org.uk/page2.htm
Portgordon Methodist Church was one of the most fruitful fields of James Turner's labours You can read more about the work of James Turner and his connection with Peterhead Methodist Church history page
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 Presbyterian 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 Methodist Society and it was thought that they were sufficiently strong to commence a Society in Portgordon. "Society" was of course the traditional name for a group of members of the Methodist Church meeting together.
John Hendry, a Portgordon fisherman, came to the rescue by opening his garrett for the use of the Methodists and, for two or three years, Portgordon methodist church services were regularly held in this humble room. Of course the little band of people meeting as Methodists 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. Their request was granted by conference in 1872.
In 1873 a scheme was set on foot for the building of a chapel. The stones used for the building of this first Methodist Church were carried by the fishermen and their wives in their creels and, on 28th May 1873, the foundation stone was officially 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.
This society was one of the many fruits of the 1860s revival under James Turner. A minister was called in 1872 and the church was opened in 1874. Since about 1920 Portgordon has not had a resident minister and has been linked pastorally with Buckie Methodist Church.
Find out more about the current situation at Portgordon Methodist church by visiting their own website which will usually be more up to date than our own.
http://www.moraycoastmethodistchurches.org.uk/page2.htm