History

A Brief History of Our Congregation

A Beginning Filled with Faith, Hope, and Determination

Our congregation began with a prayer meeting on Tuesday 12th August 2014, held in the first‑floor flat of two of our members in Bath Street, Broughty Ferry. Every room, including the hallway, was packed with people eager to worship and pray together.

Five days later, on Sunday 17th August 2014, we held our first Sunday service in the Scout Hall in David Street, Broughty Ferry.

Planning a Church with No Money, No Building, and No Members

Although our first meetings were simple, the planning behind them was anything but.  For around seven months before our first meeting, a small group had been praying and working through more than 30 major decisions — including where we would meet, how we would fund the work, and where our minister and his family would live.  Many of the decisions made at that time continue to shape our congregation today.

One of the earliest decisions was choosing a name. Without a name, we couldn’t open a bank account, rent premises, or register with OSCR and HMRC. We became Broughty Ferry Presbyterian Church — or BFPC.

Initially, we were an independent congregation, but from the outset had wanted to be part of a bigger organisation for mutual help, support, encouragement, and oversight. We joined the Free Church of Scotland in May 2016. With an impending move to our own building, in January 2025 we took the opportunity to change our name, to reflect our Free Church association, to Broughty Ferry Free Church.

A Growing and Diverse Fellowship

Our minister, initial elders, and most of our first members, came from St James’ Church of Scotland. Since then, people from a wide range of church backgrounds have joined with us — Church of Scotland, independent, Baptist, APC, Anglican, Christian Brethren, and other traditions. Others have joined after coming to faith. We are now a wonderfully diverse congregation united in Christ.

Finding Spaces to Meet

In 2014, two of our members purchased the former Age Concern premises at 343 Brook Street for our use, which we named The Brook. It quickly became invaluable for Sunday evening services and mid‑week activities. However, it was not really practicable for Sunday morning worship alongside crèche, Sunday Club, and Bible Class.

Our Sunday morning services initially continued at the Scout Halls. Although the Scouts were very supportive, the building had limitations. After lengthy discussions with Grove Academy and Dundee City Council, we moved to the Assembly Hall at Grove Academy in November 2018, where we met until the COVID‑19 pandemic began in March 2020.

Worship During COVID‑19

For much of the next two years, government regulations meant that many activities had to pause or change. For 28 weeks, all services, prayer meetings, house groups, and other gatherings took place online. Few of us had heard of Zoom — but we learned quickly! We even ran a Christianity Explored course online, with participants joining from California to Kuwait – and many points in between.

When Grove Academy remained closed to outside groups, we arranged to use The Ballroom at The Woodlands Hotel, beginning on 4th October 2020. At first, seating required to be arranged in household groups with 2‑metre distancing, masks were required, and singing was not permitted. Because of limited space, we ran two services back‑to‑back, sanitising the room and chairs with a fogging machine between each. Despite the challenges, this arrangement worked remarkably well — and the hotel staff were exceptionally helpful, even providing excellent coffee and shortbread after the service.

A New Home in St Vincent Street

As government restrictions eased and the hotel became busier, we needed to move again. On 21st November 2021, we relocated our Sunday morning services to the Broughty Ferry Baptist Church building in St Vincent Street. Broughty Baptist Church had shifted its mission focus to Panmurefield, leaving the historic building unused on Sunday mornings.

With guidance and financial assistance from the Aquilla Foundation, we were able to acquire the property at 86 St Vincent Street in May 2025.

Refurbishment and the Future

Major upgrading and refurbishment began in September 2026, with completion expected by Spring 2027.  During this period, all services and activities are taking place at The Brook.

We are grateful to God and for the generous support of members, friends, well‑wishers, and several charitable trusts that are making all this possible. In addition, The Brook has been placed on the market, and the proceeds will be used to support the project.