For the one hundred and twenty second anniversary of the official opening of St. David’s Church, Lorna MacRury carried on a tradition that kept the church going through the years. Although the area was settled in the 1790’s and the first recorded Presbyterian service was held by missionary clergy in 1818 in a building on Lorna’s great, great grandfather, Adam MacPherson’s farm in Askilton, it wasn’t until 1832 that the first minister, Rev. Dougald McKichan arrived and settled in the River Inhabitants area.
In fact, when Rev. William Gordon Forbes retired in 1881 after 29 years of ministry in the Strait area, the congregation continued with plans to build a new church. St. David’s Presbyterian Church was officially opened on November 29th, 1885, but it would be two more years before they had a minister when Rev. Donald MacDonald arrived.
Lorna noted that St. David’s is well cared for and loved by those who worship here, leaving lasting legacies such as the the Rosetta window and the Christ the King stained glass window.
It was lay people like Lorna who provided continuity over the years as ordained ministers come and go.
Yvonne Fox
