Although the present Largo Baptist Church building was not constructed until 1867, the origins of the Largo Baptists go back to at least the late eighteenth century and the days of Dr John Goodsir (depicted above in an engraving by WIlliam Coutts). As detailed in a previous post, Dr Goodsir was in medical practice in Largo for almost half a century. For over twenty years, he also fulfilled the role of Pastor at Largo's Baptist Church. The history of the Church was documented in 1967 by John Wishart (then the church secretary) in his 'History of the Largo Baptist Church: Centenary 1867-1967' which was subsequently edited and updated in 2000 by Arthur Gibbs.
A group of Baptists started meeting in Largo from around 1778 but it was not until 1790 that Dr Goodsir, along with Thomas Paterson became joint pastors of a more formalised church. Both men were already lay preachers. Goodsir had been part of various churches in his earlier life but in 1789 he became a Baptist. It would appear that he gave his services free and largely unassisted for around 25 years until his death in 1816.
A group of Baptists started meeting in Largo from around 1778 but it was not until 1790 that Dr Goodsir, along with Thomas Paterson became joint pastors of a more formalised church. Both men were already lay preachers. Goodsir had been part of various churches in his earlier life but in 1789 he became a Baptist. It would appear that he gave his services free and largely unassisted for around 25 years until his death in 1816.
In the Old Statistical Account of Scotland 1792, Rev. Spence Oliphant wrote the account for the Parish of Largo and detailed the clergy in Largo at that time. The two Anabaptists noted are Goodsir and Paterson (see above and below extracts from Leven Advertiser and Wemyss Gazette 7 December 1905).
In 1809, Goodsir acquired the building that became known as 'The Old Baptist Meeting House' close to the Crusoe Hotel on Main Street (now Castaway Cottage). This building is shown as it was in 1986 (just prior to it being sold off by the church) in the photograph below. The mid-1970s image further below is from the Canmore archives. Prior to the use of this venue, the group had been meeting in a long-gone old dilapidated structure.
Between 1816 and 1845 there were two pastors. Firstly, James Dick, a shoemaker from Elie and then James Murray, an Earlsferry weaver, who died in 1845. From then until 1867 the church was led by William Kellock (of Durie) and John Kellock (of Lundin Mill). The latter died in 1878 - see death notice in 29 August Fife Herald). In 1867 the church became divided over the question of open or closed communion and a number of members broke away to set up their own congregation, which initially met in the Old Durham School at the Temple. Other, mostly older, members continued to meet in the old meeting house, under the leadership of John Marr of Upper Largo (and later his son John).
Meanwhile, the more modern, and largely younger, breakaway group instigated the building of the 'new church' (i.e. the present Largo Baptist Church) on the site at the Orry. Its first long term minister - Alexander Brown from Rutherglen - led from 1868 until 1881. The story will pick up from there in the next blog post....
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