The Fountainhall congregation originated in 1828 when 75 members left old Bristo (Burgher / United Associate) Church in a dispute over the appointment of Revd. William Peddie as successor to his father. Presbytery allowed them to become a separate congregation at first called ‘Society of Worshippers in Bethel Chapel’. Later that year the fledgling congregation purchased the large Cowgate Episcopal Chapel, with seating for 2000, and lumbered themselves with a huge debt (£5990) that was not cleared until 1872

Cowgate Chapel was sold in 1856 and is now St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church.

They then moved to a smaller and more economical building in Infirmary Street in 1856.