GBC

About Us

We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour produced by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 1:3

At Galashiels Baptist Church we are a community of Christians committed to loving God, each other and our local community. 

We are open to all ages and you are very welcome to join us in our building or online. If you have never been to church before or are looking to explore Christianity further, we would love to get to know you and journey with you. 

Please get in touch with us if you would like more information.

We also have activities going on throughout the week. 

Check out what’s on.

We Believe

The Baptist Union of Scotland (BUS) is a network of churches that we belong to. We hold to the BUS’s ‘Declaration of Principle’:

  1. That the Lord Jesus Christ our God and Saviour is the sole and absolute Authority in all matters pertaining to faith and practice, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, and that each Church has liberty, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to interpret and administer His laws.
  2. That Christian Baptism is the immersion in water into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, of those who have professed repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for our sins according to the Scriptures; was buried and rose again the third day.
  3. That it is the duty of every disciple to bear witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to take part in the evangelisation of the world.

Our History

There has been a Baptist community in Galashiels for over 200 years with the first meetings taking place in 1782.

Originally there were two fellowships within the town with one meeting in Stirling Street and the other in Bridge Place. The existing building in Victoria Street was built in 1882 when the Bridge Place Hall became too small for that congregation.

It was in 1972 when the two congregations were brought together and four years later the Victoria Street building was chosen as the main sanctuary.

Our Leadership

The church is led by our minister, Euan Johnstone, and our Deacons.

Hi, I’m Euan. I started my role as Minister at GBC in October 2021. I’m from the small village of Gargunnock, Stirling. Growing up, I worshipped at Stirling Baptist Church with my family, where I committed to following Jesus at the age of 7 and was baptised at 15. But it wasn’t until I turned 18 that I began to realise how the gospel shaped and transforms everything and how I am to surrender my whole life to Jesus. Shortly after, with the help and support of friends and family, I sensed God was calling me into full-time ministry.

I studied Theology at the University of St Andrews, where I met my wife, Beth. After graduating, Beth and I got married and moved to Perth, where I served on staff with a youth ministry, I had volunteered with called Young Life. During that time, Beth and I committed to a process of prayerful discernment over our long-term calling, and despite the pandemic and all the lockdowns that followed, we had a clear sense God was calling me towards full-time Baptist ministry.

When weather permits, we enjoy days out walking in the hills. On rainier days, I like reading, playing music or watching the rugby.