Robert McGhee (minister)

Infobox Person
name = Robert McGhee


image_size = 200px
caption = The Revd Dr Robert McGhee
birth_date = 29 July 1929
birth_place = Port Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Scotland, UK
death_date = 18 March 1996
death_place = Falkirk, Scotland, UK
occupation = Church of Scotland Minister and Evangelist
spouse = Mary Stevenson Cunningham
parents = Robert McGhee and Catherine Ferguson
children = Mary Jane Walker
Robert Andrew Ferguson
Kathryn

:"For the 19th-century Church of Ireland minister, see Robert James M'Ghee."

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.

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.

Ministry

, 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.

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.

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.

References

*"Who's Who in Scotland" (1994 edition), Carrick Media, Ayr
*"Christian Irishman" magazine, April 1996 edition
*Obituary from "The Scotsman", March 1996

ee also

*General Assembly of the Church of Scotland