Hello, Father John!
In a nutshell, the Kirkin' Service started during the Second World War. Most accounts say that the Rev. Peter Marshall, the pastor of the New York Ave. Presbyterian Church in Washington DC, was the originator of the service -- Rev. Marshall was a immigrant from Coatbridge, Scotland and used the Kirkin' Service as a way to raise funds for British war relief during the War. Some accounts say the first service was held in 1941 or 1943. Rev. Marshall later cooperated with the St. Andrew's Society of Washington and the Kirkin' service was moved to the National Cathederal. A movie was made about Rev. Marshall's life, titled "A Man Called Peter", starring Richard Todd. I have seen a picture of Rev. Marshall in a kilt, btw.
The Kirkin' is a Scottish-American innovation, and is relatively unknown in Scotland. There seems to be a legend in the Scottish-American community that the Kirkin' service originated after the Jacobite Rebellion and the Act of Proscription, when Highlanders would hide bits of their tartan and bring them to church to be blessed, however, there is no documentation for this story, at least that I can find. Besides, the original story is just as moving, for me anyway.
PM with your mailing address, and I will send you a service leaflet from our Kirkin' service that we hold at our Episcopal Church.
I'll try to write more later after work! :mrgreen:
Cheers,
Todd
Originally Posted by cajunscot
Hello, Father John!
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