MINISTERS

Readers and Ministers: 1560- the present day

After 1560, it was difficult to get a sufficient number of qualified ministers acceptable to the new regime, and a class of Probationers known as Readers, (or Exhorters), was employed.

These Readers (who were really lay assistants), were placed one in each Parish under the direction of the regional ordained Ministers. Generally they were precluded from solemnizing marriages or administering the sacraments.

The Church of St Quivox was served intermittently by Readers from 1567 till 1591. After this, all the occupants of the charge were ordained ministers.

The second of these Readers, Hew Kennedy had to cover a lot of ground, as do many ministers in linked or united charges, as he served under the supervision and director of Maister Johnne Nisbett, Minister of Tarbolton, Barnweil, St Kenochis, Prestwick and Monckton!

This is the record of the Readers and Ministers who have served this parish.

1567 George Cochrane Reader (d. Candlemas 1570) assistants) including
1572-74 Hew Kennedy Reader
1576-80 Thomas Falconer Reader
1585-91 David Alanson (or Alison) Reader
https://archive.org/details/fastiecclesiaesc03scot/page/64/mode/2up?q=st+quivox

1604 Colin Row MA (Edinburgh, 29th July 1598). Born in 1576 to John Row, a Minister in Perth, and his wife Margaret. His father, John Row, went to Stirling Grammar School and St Leonard's College, St Andrews, matriculating in 1544. In 1550, John Row was appointed agent for the Scottish Clergy at Rome and became close to Pope Paul IV. He left the Catholic Faith and joined the Reformers after seeing "the falsehood and imposition of a pretended miracle" in Musselburgh. He went on to be Moderator of the General Assembly on four occasions between 1567 and 1578. He was " a cautious and prudent reformer, of moderate views, benevolent disposition, and amiable and winning manners, a wise and grave father, of good literature according to the time." He was skilled in the original languages of Scripture, and did much towards building up the Reformed Church in Scotland. Colin was his eighth child (of eleven).
http://archive.org/stream/fastiecclesiaesc01scot#page/268/mode/2up

1618 - at least 1622 Patrick Hamilton MA (Glasgow 1613) https://archive.org/details/fastiecclesiaesc03scot/page/64/mode/2up?q=st+quivox

1636 Robert Montgomerie MA (St Andrews, 1618) (d. 1641) https://archive.org/details/fastiecclesiaesc03scot/page/64/mode/2up?q=st+quivox

1642 - deprived of the charge by the Privy Council 1669 William Fullarton
MA (Glasgow 1634)
alias Laghlan Fullarton of Craighhall,
Not conforming to Episcopacy, he was deposed by the Diocesan Synod, was accused before the Privy Council, March 1669, of baptising and marrying irregularly, which he confessed 8th April and was dismissed. (In 1672, he was admitted to the parish of Coylton)
https://archive.org/details/fastiecclesiaesc03scot/page/66/mode/2up?q=st+quivox
https://archive.org/details/fastiecclesiaesc03scot/page/20/mode/1up?q=st+quivox%E2%80%8B

1669 - 1683 Alexander Gregorie MA
Transferred to St Quivox from Dreghorn. In 1664, he had been presented to Dreghorn, but "the heritors and the whole inhabitants, having withdrawn themselves from the parish church, the Privy Council ordain(ed) a party of soldiers to be forthwith sent, to quarter upon that parish with power to uplift the penalty of 20 shillings Scots, from every person residing in said parish, who shall withdraw from the said Kirk." Gregorie was so ill received that he threatened to remove, and thereafter transferred to St Quivox.
https://archive.org/details/fastiecclesiaesc03scot/page/66/mode/2up?q=st+quivox
https://archive.org/details/fastiecclesiaesc03scot/page/86/mode/2up?q=st+quivox%E2%80%8B

1683 - 1684 James Lammie MA (Aberdeen 1675) (d. 1684 aged 29 yrs)
https://archive.org/details/fastiecclesiaesc03scot/page/66/mode/2up?q=st+quivox

1685 - deserted the charge in 1689 John Herriot MA (Edinburgh 1683)
https://archive.org/details/fastiecclesiaesc03scot/page/66/mode/2up?q=st+quivox

1688 - 1700 James Richmond MA (Glasgow 1665)
https://archive.org/details/fastiecclesiaesc03scot/page/66/mode/2up?q=st+quivox

1700 - 1710 Alexander Orr MA (Glasgow 1671)
https://archive.org/details/fastiecclesiaesc03scot/page/66/mode/2up?q=st+quivox

1711 - 1732 Robert Miller Licensed by the Presbytery of Paisley.
Son of the Minister of Ochiltree.
https://archive.org/details/fastiecclesiaesc03scot/page/66/mode/2up?q=st+quivox

1732 - 1763 George Reid MA (Edinburgh 1718)
Moderator of the General Assembly 1755
https://archive.org/details/fastiecclesiaesc03scot/page/66/mode/2up?q=st+quivox

1764-1823 Rev William McQuhae MA (Glasgow)
Proposed Moderator of The General Assembly in 1805, but declined.
Died, Father of the Synod, in 1823
"His cheerful and happy temper, his rich fund of anecdote, and flow of wit,
rendered him an agreeable and pleasant companion"

However, Robert Burns took a different view in The Twa Herds:
Dalrymple has been lang our fae,
M'Gill has wrought us meikle wae,
An' that curs'd rascal ca'd M'Quhae,
An' baith the Shaws,
That aft hae made us black an' blae
Wi' vengefu' paws.
https://archive.org/details/fastiecclesiaesc03scot/page/66/mode/2up?q=st+quivox

William McQuae had fifteen children.
The Old Manse in St Quivox village was built in 1825, just to late to accommodate such a large family!

1820 - 1859 Rev Stair Park McQuhae (son of the above)
Licensed by the Presbytery of Ayr 1817
Presented by George Oswald of Auchincruive 1818
(DD Glasgow 1840)
Ordained as assistant and then successor.
Retired due to ill health
https://archive.org/details/fastiecclesiaesc03scot/page/66/mode/2up?q=st+quivox

Between them, father and son McQuhae ministered to St Quivox for 95 years.

1857-1858 Rev Henry Duncan (b Edinburgh 1831) MA (Edinburgh 1857) Assistant at St Quivox http://archive.org/stream/fastiecclesiaesc01scot#page/312/mode/2up/search/st+quivox

1858 - 1859 Rev Archibald H Charteris MA

Presented by Haldane Oswald of Auchincruive and ordained Assistant and successor on 27th June 1858. He was translated to New Abbey on 21st July 1859.

Dr Charteris remained in St Quivox only a year and a month but he made his mark upon the Parish before he left and the Parish left its mark upon him.

Dr Charteris became one of the foremost churchmen of his time and was responsible for the inception of the Committee on Christian Life and Work, the revival of the Order of the Deaconesses and he founded The Women's Guild.

He became Moderator of the General Assembly, and during his year in office he revisited St Quivox and received an enthusiastic welcome when he preached again in the ancient sanctuary in which he had been ordained.

Rev Archibald Charteris

1859 Rev James Wilson
Born 1832, son of a Fife farmer. Educated at Scoonie Parish School and Edinburgh University.
A Probationer in the Chapel of Belhaven, Dunbar (1858-9)
and called to St Quivox 5th November 1859
http://archive.org/stream/fastiecclesiaesc01scot#page/402/mode/2up/search/st+quivox

Presented by Alexander Oswald of Auchincruive
and ordained Assistant and successor to the Rev Charteris on 10th November 1859.
Clerk to the Presbytery of Ayr 1866-1901, d. May 1906 aged 74.

Memorial plaque in Auchincruive Church to the Rev James Wilson (photo June 2020 egnw)

1906 Rev James Peter Wilson (eldest son of the above) Born at St Quivox Manse, and schooled at Ayr Academy, Kelvinside Academy (Blackstone Medallist in Greek), and Glasgow University (MA Hons 1890, BD 1893)

Ordained in Dalbeattie Parish Church 1897. Admitted to St Quivox Parish 23rd August 1906 and remained Minister of the Parish until he retired in 1941.

Served with the Scottish Church Huts in WW1. Convener of the Church Extension Committee when Lochside and Kingcase Churches were built.
d. on 13th November 1959 aged 90.

1942-1978 Rev Lyle B Wilson

Grand-nephew of the Rev. James Wilson and nephew of the Rev. J. P. Wilson. B. 1910 at Belvedere, West Lothian. Educated Uphall Public School, George Watson's Boys' College, Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh and New College, Edinburgh.

Licensed by the Presbytery of Bathgate in 1941 and ordained in 1941 as colleague and successor to his uncle, Rev Peter Wilson.

Officiating Chaplain to the Royal Navy at HMS Scotia Shore Station at Heads of Ayr and Hon Chaplain to the West of Scotland Agricultural College, Auchincruive.

Chairman of Ayr District Council 1949-52.
and retired in April 1978.

The Wilsons served St Quivox for one hundred and nineteen years altogether and were greatly admired for their devotion and dedication to the people of the church and the parish.

The Centenary of the Wilson family's Ministry in St Quivox Parish was celebrated on November 10th 1959 and the above photos are taken from the front page of the programme of the Service of Dedication of the Wilson Centenary plaque. (Thanks to VM for lending this)

The Service was led by Rev. Horace Walker BD Secretary, Home Board. The hymns sung were Psalm 100 (All people that on earth do dwell), Hymn 21 (Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven), Hymn 196 (Come, Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire), Hymn 236 (We love the place, O God) and, after the Dedication, Hymn 29 (Now thank we all our God)

Wilson Centenary Plaque (In Auchincruive Church)

1978-1984 Rev Robert Brown

"When I was called to St Quivox in 1978, I was told that the Kirk Session had not been able to choose between keeping, or selling the old Manse. They elected to leave the decision to the new minister. I thought this wasn't exactly the best way to start, as it meant that whatever decision we arrived at, we would be offending half the congregation! We were shown round the old manse, which is now, I think, a very splendid country house. When we saw it, it had seventeen rooms, no central heating and no double glazing. So, it was a very easy decision: we could not afford to live in it, and the congregation could not afford to maintain it. It was sold and the modern bungalow in Springfield Avenue was bought to replace it, with a slight profit being made on the deal! As I remember, nobody was too upset by this, and it turned out to be the right decision.

The other story from the country side of the Parish was that in 1978 the congregation also owned a manse cottage where the Beadle at the old church lived. I do not know whether this has been retained, or sold on, but then Claude Gerrish was the Beadle, and he and his wife lived there. At the end of my first year, Claude came up to me and surreptitiously passed an envelope into my hands. "What's this?" I asked. "It's the year's rent for the manse cottage," he replied. "Why are you giving it to me?" I said. "Oh," he replied, "It's part of your stipend." I was embarrassed, till I opened it, and found the princely sum of £6.00!

But it's mostly the people, like Claude, that I remember with great fondness. In these days, there were still good attendances at both old St Quivox and Dalmilling, and people were very supportive and encouraging. The two Session Clerks I worked with were particularly memorable characters. One was Ladislav Tarana, known to everyone as 'Laddy.' He was from Czechoslovakia. He had come to the UK to fly with the Free Czech Air Force during the Second World War and stayed on afterwards, believing he would be arrested and imprisoned if he went back home to Czechoslovakia under Communist rule. The other was Hans Adair, who had grown up in Annbank, and had a small joinery business in Coylton, but by this time lived in Dalmilling. He was a master craftsman and made the magnificent mahogany mantlepiece in the Manse living room. When I wanted to 'wind him up' as we say, I would say to him, "I've just come past Jewson's and I see they've some classy looking doors." And he would reply, "Buy a door from Jewson's and you'll need a new one in fifteen years. If I make a door, it'll still be good a hundred years from now!" Both Laddy and Hans were great characters and excellent Session Clerks.

It was a busy, and demanding Parish, as I'm sure it is today. The minister was chaplain to all the local schools as well as to the West of Scotland Agricultural College, then, but no longer, at Auchincruive. Taking on Lochside was an additional responsibility. There were something like forty five weddings and seventy funerals each year, so the minister did not hang around too much!

Being at St Quivox was a good time for me and my family, and I always look out for news of it. I will always be grateful for my time there, and shall follow it, 'going forward,' as we say nowadays." [This was sent for the website, by Rev Bob Brown, on the 8th July 2020]

Rev Bob Brown and his son David, outside Auchincruive Church in 1981

Rev Bob Brown and David, on the beach in Prestwick Winter 1979

Rev Bob Brown, Mrs Elizabeth Brown, and Craig, their younger son, outside the new Manse in Springfield Avenue

1981-1987 - a time of transition Rev Alastair Osborne was recruited as a 'Community Minister' to 'share in the running' of the three churches when Lochside was brought into the Parish of St Quivox. Some churches had been closed at that time and others combined. Revs Osborne and Brown preached alternate Sundays at Dalmilling and Lochside. Rev Osborne later went into politics and was replaced by the Rev Angus Mathieson

Rev Angus Mathieson "I have many fond memories of my time at St Quivox. Congregational Burns' Suppers in Dalmilling, the Panto in 1988 - only the second time in my life, I've shaved off my beard! I also remember a packed evening at Lochside when the Iona Community's Wild Geese Worship Group came to visit on a dark winter's night." Angus Mathieson is now the Interim Head of Faith Nurture for the Church of Scotland at 121 George St in Edinburgh. [This was sent for the website, by Rev Mathieson, on the 4th August 2020]

1985 Rev Gordon McRae

1988     Rev David T. Ness

"Born in Glasgow and at the age of 4 moved to Paisley.  Schooling was at Paisley Grammar and when I left with a number of Highers I hadn't a clue what I wanted to do with my life.  I got a job with an Animal Feeding Firm, the British Oil and Cake Mills, and it was during my sojourn there that I received the Call to the Ministry.
I attended Glasgow University for five years studying Arts and Divinity and was indeed privileged to have Prof William Barclay as one of my tutors. Sherwood Church in Paisley was my home church where I also was a keen member of the Boy's Brigade.

In 1972  I was ordained and inducted to Dundonald Parish Church.  I have many fond memories of my 16 years there as minister.

In  June 1988 I moved to St Quivox Church in Ayr which then consisted of three churches, Auchincruive, Dalmilling and Lochside.  I enjoyed being the minister in that busy parish and community and serving as Chaplain to the Scottish Agricultural College at Auchincruive also to Mainholm Academy and three Primary Schools as well as Claremont Nursing Home.

I was also Chaplain to the Royal Navy at Gannet and the Royal Air Force at Atlantic House.  My life and ministry were greatly enriched by my involvement with the military.  I was their Chaplain for more than 30 years.  I have flown over a lot of Scotland in a Sea King Helicopter;  been fished out of the sea at midnight halfway between Troon and Brodick; and flown through the Welsh mountains in a Hawk aircraft at 400 m.p.h. and at  250 feet.

When I retired in 2008, Fraser Aitken asked me to give him a hand and since then have been the Associate minister at St Columba Church.  I have a few hobbies, cycling, walking, flying and building Radio Controlled Model Aircraft and going to the Gym.

I consider it a privilege to have been the minister at St Quivox for twenty years where both Moira, my wife and myself made many friends and have great memories of our time there. "  [This was sent for the website, by Rev David Ness, in June 2020]

Rev David T Ness

2009 - 2015 Rev Rona Young (b. Glasgow) (Marr College, Troon, then Craigie College Ayr, Dip Ed 1971)

"Teacher in the Bentinck School, Kilmarnock 1971-75. BD (Glasgow 1990) Probationer Irvine Old 1990-91, Ordained Crosshouse Parish Church 1991and preached there 1991-2001; then to New Cumnock Parish Church, and called to Ayr: St Quivox in 2009, until retirement in May 2015. Rev Young oversaw the appointment of Priority Area workers for North Ayr from the Ministries Development staff, and also oversaw the initial applications for funding from the UK Government Listed Buildings Roof Repair fund, which went towards the roof repairs at Auchincruive Church.
Married to Tom Young in 1972 and had two daughters b. in 1975 and 1978. Now also the proud grandmother of two grandsons". [This was sent for the website, by Rev Rona Young, in May 2020]

Rev Rona Young and Rev Douglas Moore

Rev Douglas Moore

Douglas and Margaret Moore

2012-2015 Rev Douglas Moore Ordained Local Minister, assisting in the Parish

2015 - 2019 Rev Ken Yorke BD DipEd (Interim Moderator)

"I left school at 15 and started a 5 years apprenticeship as a motor mechanic.

Spent another 15 years in the motor trade as a salesman, service manager, branch manager and was employed as a Branch Manager of 4 garages in Ayrshire when I left to study arts and theology at Glasgow University for 4 years graduating as Bachelor if Divinity.. After serving a probationary year at Alloway Parish Chutch I entered my first charge at Kirn in the Presbytery of Dunoon. Five years later I was called to serve as minister in Ochiltree and Stair and then at Dalmellington and Patna retiring in 2009.

I studied at Craigie College and obtained a diploma in education in two subjects, History and Religious and Moral Education.

I thoroughly enjoyed teaching in secondary schools for six years. This experience greatly enriched my ministry.
My interests are classic cars, motorcycles and music. I played in Prestwick Pipe Band for a few years and can play the violin, keyboard, guitar, ukulele, harmonica and the fool!

My period as interim moderator at Ayr St Quivox was much longer than usual but I thoroughly enjoyed renewing old acquaintances, making new friends and serving my Lord among lovely folk." [This was sent for the website, by Rev Ken Yorke, in June 2020]

Rev Ken Yorke outside Auchincruive Church on his preferred mode of transport

2019 Rev John McCutcheon at Auchincruive Church.

2019 Rev John McCutcheon

"I left school and worked with my dad in his Plumbing and Heating Company but took a career change in 1999 and studied at Glasgow Caledonian University, graduating from there in 2003 with an Honours degree in Social Sciences in Politics with History. in 2017 I completed my second Honours degree when I got my Divinity degree from Glasgow University. Not bad for a bloke that left school with nothing but a couple of O grades! Hopefully an inspiration for many that all things really are possible.

As far as the ministry goes I began that path nearly 15 years ago when I trained to be a Reader. I was Set Apart (to give it its Church Title in 2008). Thereafter I sensed my calling to train to become an Ordained local Minister, and I completed that and was Ordained in 2014.

A few months later I sensed the calling to become a Full Time minister. It has been a long and winding road, as the song says. I have lived in the Clydebank/Dumbarton area nearly all my life so St Quivox is a new adventure for me, although when I was younger our BB Company came to Ayr a couple of Times and camped in a farmers field. It was also the only Time I ever saw Professional wrestling, in the Dam Park Hall.

I like reading and listening to music and watching sport on the telly. Someitmes I do it all at once, but it's not to be recommended!!! I also like to work out and generally keep fit and will no doubt find myself in Bannatyne's.

For those of you are extra keen to know everything about their minister I am also divorced but for the last year or so have been going out with Elaine from Crosshill. Thus I have become very familiar with the M/A 77.

One of the greatest things I enjoy being able to do as a minister is visiting people. So I will be coming to visit as many of you as I possibly can. Which also carries the recommendation that you stock up on tea and coffee!!!

I am really looking forward to everything that lies ahead, and to hopefully being your minister for many years to come, and to share in the joys and challenges that make us the people we are and the church community that we have become over many, many years." [This was written for the Church Magazine following the Rev John McCutcheon's induction to St Quivox Parish in December 2020]

St Quivox Parish Church: Ayr (Church of Scotland) (known as Ayr:St Quivox Parish Church) is a Scottish Charity, SC004906, regulated by the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR)