Robert McGhee (minister)
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| Robert McGhee | |
 The Revd Dr Robert McGhee
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| Born | 29th July 1929 Port Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Scotland, UK |
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| Died | 18th March 1996 Falkirk, Scotland, UK |
| Occupation | Church of Scotland Minister and Evangelist |
| Spouse | Mary Stevenson Cunningham |
| Children | Mary Jane Walker Robert Andrew Ferguson Kathryn |
| Parents | Robert McGhee and Catherine Ferguson |
Robert McGhee was a prominent Church of Scotland minister and evangelist who championed the conservative, evangelical movement in Scotland throughout the second half of the 20th century. He was a signatory of the Manila Manifesto and was nominated for the position of Moderator several times.
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[edit] Background and education
McGhee was born in Port Glasgow, Renfrewshire, on 29 July 1929, the first son of Robert McGhee (who had set up various missions and Sunday Schools in some of Glasgow's most deprived areas) and Catherine Hawthorn Ferguson. Like several members of his family, McGhee was Dux of his school before serving two years in the Royal Air Force. Originally trained as an accountant, McGhee almost signed up for a career as a Premiership footballer with Preston North End (FA Cup finalists that year) but instead chose to go to Glasgow University to study Divinity in 1954, becoming proficient in Latin, Hebrew, and particularly Greek. He received his training for the ministry at Trinity College, Glasgow.
[edit] Ministry
He was ordained in Port Glasgow and inducted to Pultneytown St. Andrew’s Church in Wick, Caithness in 1959 as 9th Minister of Wick. After a successful merge with another local church he was minister of Wick St. Andrew’s and Thrumster Church from 1961-66. It was at this time that his ‘strong personality and vigorous evangelistic heart soon made its mark on the growing congregation’, according to Bill Wallace. He became a good friend of Lady Jessamine Harmsworth, the church organist and a cousin of the Queen Mother, and her husband, an influential scion of the Harmsworth newspaper dynasty which owns the Daily Mail, and often returned to Wick on holiday later in his life.
From 1966-72 he was 1st Minister of Mayfield and Easthouses Church in Dalkeith outside Edinburgh, before moving finally to Falkirk, as 8th Minister of St. Andrew's West Parish Church. During his time in Falkirk he was appointed President of the Scottish Evangelistic Council (1982-85), Convener of Community Care, Social Responsibility (1977-85) and then Convener of the Board of Social Responsibility of the Church of Scotland (1985-89). As Convener he visited Kenya as part of the International Christian Federation Conference for the Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug Addiction, and also toured the Holy Land. He also served as Chairman of the Lord’s Day Observance Society of Scotland (1970-74) and Moderator of the Presbyteries of Caithness (1964-65), Falkirk (1983-83) and the Synod of Forth (1985-86). In 1991 he was appointed Chairman of the Glasgow Council for Billy Graham’s Scottish crusade.
Dr. McGhee made various television and radio appearances, often presenting "Late Call" on STV, and spoke at numerous General Assemblies, taking a conservative, evangelical stance on theological issues. He was also on the Editorial Board for CH4 (the fourth Edition of the Church Hymnary). He was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Divinity by Canada Christian College in Toronto. In 1987 he was one of a small number of Scots to be invited to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the revival of the Order of the Thistle. He was also the nomination of the Church's powerful evangelical wing (represented by such groups as Forward Together, the Evangelical Alliance and the Christian Institute) for the position of Moderator on several occasions.
Dr. McGhee died on 18 March 1996 in Strathcarron Hospice, Stirlingshire, of cancer. At his funeral the church was overflowing with over 1500 mourners, and he was buried in Falkirk Cemetery. The Very Revd Sandy McDonald (father of Doctor Who actor David Tennant) preached at his funeral. Dr. McGhee's family donated hundreds of theological books which were part of his private collection to the University of Glasgow. A stained glass window of St. John was erected in his memory in St. Andrew’s West Church, and a new residential street built in 2005 in central Falkirk, McGhee Place, was named after him.
[edit] Family
Dr. McGhee married Mary Stevenson Cunningham in Port Glasgow, by whom he had three children, all born in Wick. He later had nine grandchildren.
[edit] References
- "Who's Who in Scotland" (1994 edition), Carrick Media, Ayr
- "Christian Irishman" magazine, April 1996 edition
- Obituary from "The Scotsman", March 1996
| Church of Scotland titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by The Revd John Robertson |
9th Minister of Wick Later Wick St. Andrew's and Thrumster 1959-1966 |
Succeeded by The Revd Alexander Gunn |
| New title | 1st Minister of Mayfield and Easthouses 1966-1972 |
Succeeded by ' |
| Preceded by The Revd Robert Pollock |
8th Minister of Falkirk St. Andrew's Later Falkirk St. Andrew's West 1972-1996 |
Succeeded by The Revd Alistair Horne |
| Non-profit organization positions | ||
| Preceded by ' |
Chairman of the Lord's Day Observance Society of Scotland 1970-1974 |
Succeeded by ' |
| Preceded by ' |
President of the Scottish Evangelistic Council 1982-1985 |
Succeeded by ' |
