Until the autumn of 1895 the burgh of Gourock was without any permanent Baptist witness. It appears there were seven Baptist ladies in Gourock, some of whom worshipped in Orangefield Baptist Church, Greenock.
Feeling the time was ripe to form a church locally, these seven ladies communicated with the Principal of the Baptist College in Dunoon, the Rev. Duncan Macgregor and very soon thereafter a service was held in the Gamble Institute every Sunday, conducted by various students from the college.
The accepted leader of this group of seven ladies was Mrs J. Veitch. A woman of rare insight, possessing business acumen and gifted with leadership, she, as Proprietor of the Temperance Hotel in Kempock Street, kept one room as a “Prophet’s Chamber” for the students who preached in the growing church.
From these small beginnings the ladies boldly and formally inaugurated the church on Monday 21st October 1895. One of those Dunoon college students, a Welshman called Mr W. J. Evans was inducted as the Church’s first Pastor in June
In October of the following year 1898, the Church was also accepted into the Baptist Union of Scotland. The church building, which is our present church hall, was opened on Christmas Eve 1898.
It was in September 1922 that another important chapter in the church’s history began, for that month saw the Rev. Alex Paterson M.A. inducted into the charge at Gourock. His wide experience and his outspoken sermons soon began to bear fruit. Many more worshippers were now attending the Church and within two to three years seventy-eight new members were added to the Member’s Roll.
The number of people now attending the services led to serious overcrowding and so Rev. Paterson suggested an extension by building a new Church over the site of the front garden and path. Owing to the gradient into Shore Street, he also conceived the idea that the floor of the new building could become the roof of shops built beneath, and this was agreed to. It was felt that the rents accruing from the shops would assist greatly in helping to pay the costs of the new venture and this was formally opened in August 1924.
Fast forward one hundred years to 2023 and we have undertaken extensive work on the building. An accessibilty lift has been installed beside the main entranceway on King Street, the hall and kitchen have been fully refurbished, an accessible toilet has been fitted and a new monitored fire alarm has been installed throughout the premises. Our sanctuary has also been refurbished with the removal of the old wooden pews and installation of modern, comfortable chairs. On the technical side, we have also installed video cameras that help us LIVE Stream our services online every Sunday morning on the Church’s YouTube channel.
Gourock Baptist Community Church is known for the warmth of its welcome to all who visit. We are actively involved with and support the work of Gourock Schools and Churches Together (GSCT).
We also support the local Food Bank, Starter Packs, and the Baptist Missionary Society. All visitors are welcome. You do not need an introduction. Just come along at 11am and meet the congregation of the present.