BICENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
1804 - 2004
THE HISTORY OF GALASHIELS BAPTIST CHURCH
Three men : Archibald Cochrane, Henry Watson & William Johnstone "from searching the scriptures were persuaded that the faith, order and ordinances of a Christian church were vastly different from the generally received opinion, and upon enquiry found a church in Edinburgh corresponding with their views." They were duly baptised and admitted to its Christian fellowship.
Over time other like minded individuals were added to their number, meeting together for worship, prayer, praise, the reading of the scriptures, exhortation, and collection for the poor and in support of the Christian profession. They received frequent visits from the church in Edinburgh, where many were also Baptised
1782:
1804:
The congregation in Galashiels had grown to the point where the worshippers resolved to form themselves into an independent Baptist congregation.
Initially the congregation in Galashiels met in the Cloth Hall , eventually a place of worship was built at the West end of Overhaugh St.
1841:
The congregation, having outgrown its premises in Ovehaugh St., resolved to enlarge its place of meeting, and ground was bought at the top of Stirling St. The new chapel was duly erected, with the deeds showing it to be in the name of Mr James Leitch (elder) and Messrs Johnstone, Rutherford & Paterson (deacons) and their successors in office.
1868:
With a membership of 99, the church was forced to move out of its premises and into the lower room of the public hall. Discussions took place as to whether the existing chapel should be extended or a new chapel constructed. At an estimated cost of £1000, the congregation elected to build a new chapel on ground belonging to the existing chapel in Stirling St.
1870:
The new chapel in Stirling Street was opened.
1875:
Having been formed along Scotch Baptist principles, which argued for the plurality of pastors, many within the church began to feel that this no longer satisfied the needs of the congregation. As this was agreed by the majority of those meeting in Stirling St., The Rev. Charles Hill of Dunfermline was called as the first full-time paid pastor. Those who disagreed with this change in principles left the church and continued to meet along the Scotch Baptist lines in the Bridge Place Hall.
1880:
Mr James Brown, a blacksmith from Selkirk, and 19 others left the fellowship in Galashiels to form a Baptist church in Selkirk. Within their second year, the numbers meeting in Selkirk had risen to 54.
1882:
With the help of a loan from the Baptist Union, the present building in Victoria Street was built at a cost of £745, to house the Scotch Baptist congregation from Bridge Place.
1903:
The first hall, a wood and iron building capable of seating 150 was erected behind the Victoria Street church.
1904:
The two congregations in Galashiels came together for the Centenary celebrations. The celebrations took the form of a Social evening on 11th November at the public hall, preceeded by a fortnights evangelistic meetings conducted by Rev Joseph Kemp (Charlotte Chapel, Edinburgh).
1914:
The church in Stirling Street was taken to court over a strip of land approximately 8 inches wide, down which the church wished to lay drains. The dispute with the neighbours eventually reached the court of session, with settlement being made in favour of the church.
1939:
The hall of the Stirling Street building was in use as a war time canteen and storage facility.
1960:
The two churches, recognising the problems caused by population shifts away from the town centre, sought to have a joint evangelistic programme
1971:
A period of shared ministry was undertaken by the two congregations. This led in 1972 to the joint deacons court recommending the formation of a new joint fellowship. The new church was to be called The Galashiels Baptist Church . Committees were formed to look at the issues of property and the pastoral vacancy.
1972:
The Rev Ian Mundie was called from Mosspark, to become the first pastor of the joint fellowship.
1976:
After much discussion, it was finally agreed that the joint fellowship should make its home at the Victoria St premises. Up to this point both premises had been in use for various purposes.
1978:
Construction of the present hall and kitchen.
1984:
Proposals are made for the installation of a false ceiling in the sanctuary, to reduce heating costs.
1986:
First mention is made in the minutes of the possible removal of the pulpit and pews.
1993:
A call is made to the Rev Andrew Sinclair to become pastor of the fellowship following completion of his studies in Glasgow.
2004:
The church celebrates its 200th year of witnessing for Christ to the people of Galashiels and beyond.
The Church Today
Cloth Hall
