Dumfries Baptist Church
Where we are
Newall Terrace
Dumfries Baptist Church (a member of the Baptist Union of Scotland), Newall Terrace, Dumfries DG1 1LW
Location map
Contacts
Phone 01387 268926
Email secretary@dumfriesbaptistchurch.org.uk
Website www.dumfriesbaptistchurch.org.uk
Church Staff
Senior Pastor: Alistair Purss alistair.purss@btinternet.com
Associate Pastor (Youth): Mr Marcus Scotney marcus@dbcyouth.org.uk
Secretary: Miss Lesley Wilson secretary@dumfriesbaptistchurch.org.uk
Treasurer: Mr I Penn pennnithsdale@supanet.com
Regular Worship
Worship
Sunday Morning Service: 10.30am, Dumfries High School, Bane Loaning, Dumfries, DG1
Sunday Evening Service: 6.30pm, Dumfries Baptist Church, Newall Terrace, Dumfries DG1 1LW
Mission, Ministry and Social Action
We believe that God has brought us together, equipped us and is continually equipping his church to meet the challenges that are before us. As we seek to live as the people of God in Dumfries and in its surrounding community, we long to be an effective witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ in 21st century Britain.
Our congregation meet together regularly in small groups to study the Bible and pray. We also have strong links with many organisations both at home and abroad which would seek to promote Ministry and Social Action. They include A Rocha, Alive Radio, the Baptist Missionary Society, Bethany Christian Trust, Christian Care for the Homeless, Compassion, D and G Befriending Project, Frendz Pregnancy Crisis Counselling Service, the Gideons, Missionary Aviation Fellowship, OMF International, Scripture Union, Tear Fund and the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship.
Activities
Fellowship
The busy church programme includes work with children and young people on a Sunday morning during the morning service. A club for girls meets on a Thursday night called GirlZone and the equivalent BoyZone happens the same evening. Toddlers Groups meet on Monday afternoon, Tuesday morning and Wednesday morning while Friendship Hour for our more mature friends is on a Thursday afternoon.
The Church also regularly offers the opportunity to follow courses in a variety of subjects including “Exploring Christianity”, “How to Drug-proof your Kids” and more recently “Marriage Preparation”. Two Pilates classes are also run on Tuesday evenings between 6.15- 7.15 pm and 7.30- 8.30 pm.
History
The first known Baptist witness in the town was around 1800 with a building in Three Crowns Court. The present Church was established on 11 August 1872 with Mr George Anderson of the former South United Free Church serving as evangelist. By 1876 Rev Lachlan McPherson was serving as full-time pastor.
Praise
The Church building in Newall Terrace was built in 1881, cost £2000 and is said to be modelled on Spurgeon’s Tabernacle in London. The ministry of the Rev Alex Bremner (1887-1897, 1923-1932) was rewarded by young men having to sit on the window sills, gallery not withstanding.
From the 1960s, after a period of decline, the membership roll has grown steadily and the building has been renovated on a number of occasions including the removal of the pews in 1986. The Church currently faces the welcome accommodation problem of having outgrown the premises.