In 1875 the Gordon Memorial Church was erected by the Dowager Countess of Aberdeen in memory of her eldest son, George, who was lost at sea in 1870. The site was chosen so that the church could be clearly seen from Haddo House, seat of the Earl of Aberdeen, some three miles away. The first minister was Rev. Mr Forrest, who was translated to Lonmay in 1878; he was followed by Rev. A. R. Sutter. The district of Barthol Chapel became a quoad sacra parish in 1876 i.e. formed from parts of other parishes.
According to the Thanage of Fermartyn, the quoad sacra parish may be said to represent the chapel (or kell) of Futchul, the name of a district whose chapel is mentioned, with the parish church, in charters of 1220-29. It is thought that the name, Barthol Chapel, is derived from the St. Bartholomew link. Barthol Chapel became a linked charge with Tarves in 1958.