Carsphairn Church Elders

Kirk Session minutes throughout the centuries have always noted the elders present. There was a minute taken in June 1861 in which it was noted that it was the first Kirk Session for two years.  The Kirk Session was apparently reduced to one elder, James Ballentine. The minister of Dalry, Reverend S Blair was appointed by Presbytery to attend to enable a quorum for the meeting which was constituted for the ordination of three elders.

A service followed, Reverend David Welsh preached from the sixth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles and three men were appointed elders, namely John Hannah, schoolmaster, Robert Sloane, farmer and William McKay, carpenter.

The minute ends ‘They received the right hand of prayer’.  This still happens nowadays.

We know that since 1891 there have been just 34 elders, remarkably few in such a long time period.

It was, and still is, regarded as an honour to become an elder. Alexander Sloane McKay in his unpublished autobiography wrote of his father, the above William McKay.

‘He was industrious, honest and conscientious in all his dealings. He succeeded bringing up a large family on comparatively small means. His exemplary conduct made him a marked man for preferment and they of the ‘Auld Kirk’ had him duly ‘ticked off’ to fill a vacancy when that should occur. I remember how pleased he was, when the vacancy occurred. On his being asked and urged to accept the position, he demonstrated a considerable show of apparent reluctance and real humility. In this matter his ambition was gratified and he lived and died worthily’.