Bon Accord Free Church, Aberdeen

Bon Accord Free Church in Aberdeen has a rich history of religious secession and community spirit. Formed in 1828 by a group that left Trinity Chapel, they acquired Union Terrace church from a Baptist group. It became a Quoad Sacra parish in 1834 and saw significant leadership under Minister Gavin Parker during the Disruption. After transitioning through various affiliations, it became the Bon Accord Church of Scotland in 1929, before reclaiming its Free Church identity in 1974.

The current Bon Accord Free Church building, a focal point of Aberdeen’s religious architecture, was designed by Robert Gordon Wilson and constructed in 1896 on the historical site of the Union Baptist Chapel. This building replaced an earlier structure used by the congregation and was necessary as the previous location on Dee Street became insufficient during the 1970s due to growing membership.

The church underwent significant renovations in 2016/2017, which saw substantial structural and internal changes. The roof and domes were meticulously repaired, and the interior space was reconfigured to better serve the community. The sanctuary was reduced in size to make way for a more versatile café/breakout space, shifting from traditional pews to chairs for more flexible seating arrangements, although the original pews were preserved in the balcony area. Despite removing the church organ due to disrepair, the organ pipes remain a decorative element above the pulpit, adding a historical layer to the modernized space.

Today, Bon Accord Free Church continues to serve its congregation in the heart of Aberdeen, accommodating around 700 people within its historical yet modernized walls. The church not only acts as a place of worship but also as a community hub, reflecting its ongoing commitment to its foundational values and adaptability to meet contemporary needs.