1892 to 1947
This publication, is to mark the Jubilee of Portobello Baptist Church, is essentially a book of remembrance. In it we remember with thanksgiving the beginnings of the Baptist cause in our town, we remember with reverence the places in which we first gathered to worship God, and we remember with rejoicing our beloved brethren in Christ who laid the soil and enduring foundations upon which we now build. We remember without ceasing their work of faith, their labour of love, and their patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. They laboured and we have entered into their labours.
And this publication is a Book of Thanksgiving. We thank those who by their consecrated lives have made our Church a place where Christ Jesus is exalted as Lord, where the Word of God is honoured and taught, and where the Gospel of the Crucified, Risen and Glorified Son of God is heralded forth as the only message of salvation.
Moreover, this publication is a Book of Resolution. We have noted " where the Saints have trod," and, like the sons of Bunyan's pilgrim, we covet to tread in their footprints. Yea, we solemnly resolve, God helping us, that we shall ever set our Lord Jesus Christ in the midst of all our fellowship and activities, that we shall let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly, and that we shall play a full part in proclaiming the Gospel of Christ as the power of God unto Salvation.
Thus, as we remind ourselves of the way in which God has led us, we would also consecrate ourselves afresh to God and the service of His Kingdom that the future of our Church might be as bright as the promises of God.
Beginnings are nearly always humble affairs and sometimes are despised; but if the cause is good, history has the compensating knack of giving the deserved halo to those who faithfully laid the foundations in a by-gone day. It is thus a pleasure to put on record the work that was done in founding and building the Portobello Baptist Church.
In 1887, Mrs Cleghorn, widow of the Rev. William Cleghorn, came with her family to reside in Portobello, and although they found ample scope for their activities in the various missions, it was their great desire to see a Baptist Church in the town. About three years later the Rev. John Wallace, having retired from the Pastorate of the Dalkeith church took up residence in Portobello. These two keen Baptists soon met and began to discuss the possibilities of forming a Church. They decided to prayerfully seek the guidance of God; and Mr. Wallace agreed that if the way opened for them he would give what help he could. Their prayers were soon answered, for a room was procured in Grove Cottage, belonging to the Working Men's Institute.
Grove Cottage is still in existence, and is situated at the east corner of the High Street and Ramsay Lane. The approach to it now is from Ramsay Lane, but at that time access was from the High Street. There is some uncertainty about the date of commencement, and it may have been that for some months the room was used informally. At any rate the first official record we have is from the minutes of the Working Men's Institute dated 28th November 1892, which reads :--
"The secretary read a letter from the Rev. J. B. Wallace requesting the use of the Billiard room once every Sunday for the holding of a religious service. After the various members present had expressed their views on the subject it was unanimously agreed to grant the use of the room at a nominal charge of 5/- per calendar month to cover the expense of gas and coal."
Towards the end of 1891, Pastor Tait, while ministering in Leith, turned his eyes to Portobello as a possible field for further activity, and began services in a small shop. He held a fortnight's special mission, followed by the regular Sunday Services. From this source, a few more adherents were added to the cause started by Mr. Wallace. When the Working Men's Institute moved from Grove Street to premises at No. 32 Tower Street in May 1894, it appears that the Baptist meetings were also transferred to the same place, where they remained until March 1895, when the side room of the Old Town Hall (now the Baptist Church) was procured.
The Rev. J. B. Wallace remained Pastor until 1896. The work was then carried on by laymen, among whom were a few names familiar even in recent times, such as John Wintrup, J. C. Ross and Tom Phillips. Mr Ross appears to have been a very great help to the church, and his departure for Kirkcaldy in 1896 was a big loss.
The coming of Captain McGill as temporary Pastor in 1897 for a few months marked a new milestone in the church's history. Stationed at Piershill Barracks, he was able to devote a good deal of attention to the church. Under his energetic leadership the affairs of the church were put on a proper footing. A roll of members was opened, a set of rules was drawn up and duly minuted, and the church was affiliated to the Baptist Union of Scotland. To mark this occasion an "Inauguration Social" was held, and it is interesting to note that for some years following this date the church assumed 1897 as the year of origin. The office-bearers were as follows :-- Pastor, Capt. A. McGill; Elders, Messrs. Adam M. Crooks (formerly pastor of Peebles Church) and John Wintrup; Deacons, Messrs. A. B. Jamieson and Robert Noble. The total membership was twenty-seven.
In those days the church was constituted on open membership lines, with the stipulation that all the office-bearers must be baptized believers. Close membership was adopted in 1901, when a revised set of rules was drawn up.
Mr Robert Noble was appointed secretary, Mr Jamieson treasurer and Mr Wintrup Sunday School Superintendant.
In 1899 a Christian Endeavour Society was formed, and except for one break has always been an important and energetic organisation.
Following the departure of Capt. McGill, the responsibility again rested entirely in the hands of laymen, among whom were such stalwarts as David Brown, Robert Noble, Thomas Adams and John Wintrup. Mr Brown served as honorary pastor from 1900 to 1903, among those upon whom he exercised a profound influence was a John Wilson, who later became famous as Dr. John Wilson of the Woolwich Tabernacle. In May 1898, the services were transferred to the Windsor Place Academy, where the Post Office now stands, and were continued there until 1900 when the use of the Masonic Hall in Tower Street was granted.
In the year 1903, by an arrangement with Bristo Place Church, the services of the Rev. Frank H. Cunliffe were obtained, and for two years he saw to the oversight of the church.
The Rev. G. C. Fraser Campbell came in 1905 as the first full-time minister of the church, and he remained for six years, and did an excellent work.
Following his retiral in 1911, and until 1914, Marshall Street Church gave much assistance in the supply of preachers and in general supervision.
At the time of Mr Fraser Campbell's retiral, a move was made to acquire a building where services on Sundays, and weekday meetings could be held unrestricted, and for this purpose a small school in Stanley Street, facing the Public Park, was purchased in 1912, and with a few alterations made an attractive little church. This forward movement was due in great measure to the exertions of Mr Thomas Gregory.
The darkening clouds of the first world war brought a challenge and an opportunity to the Baptist Church to shed its distinctive light amidst the surrounding gloom; and for this purpose God sent a man fitted for such a task of leadership.
The Rev. D. Merrick Walker, R. N., who had been appointed by the War Office to minister in the neighbourhood, was invited to undertake the care of the church as honorary pastor. Multitudes were questing for consolation and encouragement, and to serve such a demand, the new Town Hall was procured in 1915 for the evening services. Seating a thousand people, this hall was filled week after week, and a great and lasting impression was made upon civilians and service people alike. When the war ended, Mr. Walker was urged to accept the full-time pastorate of the church, and for another sixteen years the great work that was begun during the war was continued. The building in Stanley Street was now too small for the numbers attending, and the old Town Hall having come onto the market was purchased in 1919. even this building could hardly contain the large congregations which assembled every week, and for years not a seat was unoccupied. To this day people speak of the influence that was so mightily exerted under that vigorous ministry. Youth organisations were formed and expanded, and effective work was done which reached far beyond the confines of the church's own membership. These were the great days of upbuilding in which the Baptist Church took a foremost place among the churches of the Town.
Mr. Walker retired in 1935, and the Rev. William Whyte, M. A., was called in 1936, and for eight and a half years exercised an effective ministry and made a deep impression by his conscientious service and deep Bible teaching.
When Mr. Whyte came, the threatening clouds of another world war were already beginning to cast their shadows, and a sense of dread and dismay was haunting the minds of men. It was not an easy time to commence a ministry, but it was a challenge, and Mr. Whyte was equal to it. His deep knowledge of scripture, and his insight into passing events produced messages that pierced the gloom and brought light to many. And when in 1939 the storm of war broke over Europe, the same unfaltering message went forth to steady and to fortify.
Not the least part of Mr. Whyte's influence was upon the young people, and in spite of the call to the forces having depleted the numbers, a strong and energetic band of youthful endeavourers enthusiastically followed his leadership.
There was a remarkable spirit of prayer manifest in the church at this time, and in spite of the black-out conditions the prayer meetings were crowded, and such was the desire to pray that often no time was available for an address. The spiritual life of the church reached a very high level and a great impression was made, especially on the young people, a number of whom decided to devote their lives to full-time Christian work.
The congregations increased; and for several years the record of baptisms was among the highest in Scotland.
Mr. Whyte resigned in 1944 to take up the pastorate of Spurgeon's Tabernacle, West Croydon, London. A call was given to the Rev. James Taylor, and he began his ministry in 1945. Endearing himself at once to the congregation, he is worthily maintaining the high standard of his predecessors, and is exercising a fruitful ministry. It cannot be said that the times are easy as far as church work is concerned, but here, at any rate, the Gospel message is being sent out in no uncertain fashion, and the signs would show that the work is being abundantly blessed. All the organisations are in a very flourishing state, and the full attendance's at the Sunday Services would show that where the word is faithfully given there are those eager to hear.
A large and enthusiastic band of young people are finding much inspiration and help in Mr. Taylor's leadership; and they in turn are expressing their impressions in many practical spheres of service.
The church has had to bear many heavy financial commitments during the past thirty years, but such has been the spirit of liberality that all debts have been met and never have the weekly freewill offerings been so high as they are now; surely a reflection of the fine spiritual life prevailing.
This brief outline of the history of Portobello Baptist Church has no doubt shown that here indeed is a church that has been conscious of its high calling, and has been eager to fulfil its place in the spiritual life of the community. It has steadily grown in numbers and in influence during the years, and now as it steps out towards the centenary mark, it will do so confident that He who has led will lead, and that the best is yet to be. It goes forward with faith and confidence, believing that it still has a great work to do; and by the Grace of God will do it.
(Grateful acknowledgement is made of the help given by Miss Cleghorn and Mr. Alex Noble in obtaining the information of the earlier years, particularly of that period prior to 1897.)