17/05/2026
On this day 250 years ago the parish of Gourock was formed. No longer did Gourockians have to walk to Inverkip to attend church.
The story of the Church of Scotland in Gourock mirrors the story of all that has occurred in the history of our denomination. The great Disruption of 1843 brought about the Free Church and from that movement so St.John’s as it is now came into being. The United Presbyterian denomination also came to Gourock in the late 1800’s with Ashton Parish Church being built. In 1929 St.John’s and Ashton
both became Church of Scotland churches and so Gourock ended up with three Church of Scotland Parishes.
As we know only too well the story does not end at that point but continues with Ashton Church eventually having to close and a union with what had become Old Gourock Parish Church being effected to form Old Gourock & Ashton, now linked with St.Ninian’s Greenock. And the story isn’t finished yet, far from it. But for now
we come to this milestone. A recognition of 250 years of service and witness to the community of Gourock as a parish. It should be noted that the building we currently use will be 200 years old in 2032, another milestone.
All are welcome to join us at 3:00pm today for a Thanksgiving Service. (Note: there is NO service at 10:00am today.)
The service will also be broadcast live on our YouTube channel - OG&A Parish Church.
