Bon Accord Free Church facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bon Accord Free Church
Bon Accord Free Church
Location	Aberdeen
Country	Scotland
Denomination	Free Church of Scotland
Churchmanship	Evangelical
Weekly attendance	150-200
Website	www.bafreechurch.org.uk
History
Former name(s)	St. Columba Free Church
Founded	1845
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Style	Granite
Specifications
Capacity	700
Number of floors	4
Number of domes	2
Materials	Granite
Administration
Parish	Aberdeen
Presbytery	Edinburgh and Perth

Bon Accord Free Church is a Christian church located in Aberdeen, Scotland. It is part of the Free Church of Scotland. This church has a long history in the city.

A Look Back: History of the Church

The Bon Accord Free Church started in 1828. Some members from another church, Trinity Chapel, decided to form their own group. They bought a church building on Union Terrace from a Baptist group.

In 1834, it became a special type of parish church. More people joined after leaving Gilcomston Church. The minister, Gavin Parker, led the church through a big event called the Disruption in 1843. This was when many churches in Scotland separated from the main Church of Scotland.

Over the years, the church changed its name and connections several times. It became a United Free church. Then, in 1929, it became Bon-Accord Church of Scotland when the United Free church joined with the Church of Scotland. Finally, in 1974, it became Bon Accord Free Church again.

The Church Building

The current church building was designed in 1894 by architect Robert Gordon Wilson. It was built on the site of the old Union Baptist Chapel and opened in 1896. After 1900, it was known as the Bon Accord United Free Church. From 1962 to 1974, it was called Bon Accord St Paul's Church. In 1974, it returned to being Bon Accord Free Church.

The church group has been in the current Bon Accord building since they bought it in 1977. Before this, they used a building on Dee Street. However, that building became too small for them in the 1970s. The current building on Rosemount Viaduct can seat about 700 people.

The building had major repairs and changes in 2016 and 2017. During this time, the church met in a local community center. The repairs included fixing the roof and the two domes on top. Inside, the entrance area was made bigger to create a small cafe and meeting space. The main worship area was made a bit smaller. The old wooden benches (pews) were removed from the main floor and replaced with chairs. However, the balcony still has the original pews. The large church organ was also removed because it had not been used much since 1974 and was broken. The organ pipes are still there as a decoration above the pulpit.

Past and Present Ministers