“Kirkin’ O’ the Tartan” Service Features VMI Bagpiper

The historic Fincastle Presbyterian Church invites the public to a special service, “Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans”, on Sunday, October 11th at 10:30 am. Bagpiper, Major Burt Mitchell, leader of the VMI Pipe Band will play before and following the service. This service blesses Scottish tartans and thereby the clans, families and descendants representing each tartan. While the Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan’s service celebrates Scotland and Scottish heritage, perhaps originating in an older blessing of clans chiefs in the local Church of Scotland, it has truly become a Scottish-American church custom. Over the last half century, particularly in areas of South-West Virginia, the Carolinas and the Appalachians where a large percentage of the population can claim some Scottish ancestry, the service is held often.

The real history of the Kirkin’ service though, is rather more “All American”, with a Scottish “twist”. The Rev. Peter Marshall, an immigrant originally from Coatbridge,Scotland, was the minister of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington DC, during the 1940’s, and served as Chaplain of the United States Senate before his untimely death in 1949. His story became well-known through his wife’s biography of him entitled, A Man Called Peter, which became a spiritual bestseller and is still read today. In 1955, Richard Todd played Dr. Marshall in the movie, A Man Called Peter.

Peter Marshall is believed to be the originator of the “Kirkin o’ the Tartan’s” service. During the Second World War, he held prayer services at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church to raise funds for British war relief. At the service on April 27, 1941, Marshall gave a sermon entitled “The Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans” and thus a legend was born. He took the traditional Scottish blessing of the chief and democratized or “Americanized” it to apply to all Scottish descendants. In 1954, the Kirkin’ service was moved to National Cathedral (Episcopal) in Washington D. C. and today, the Washington Kirkin’ service is held at the National Cathedral, a fitting tribute to Dr. Marshall.

Today, many Scottish, Caledonian and St. Andrew’s Societies across the United States and Canada hold “Kirkin’ of the Tartans;” while the majority seem to be in Presbyterian Churches, however, one may also find them in Episcopalian, Methodist, Roman Catholic and other denominations. Kirkins are held year-round, but St. Andrew’s Day (November 30th) and Tartan Day (April 6th) tend to be very popular dates. The Kirkin’, as a Scottish-American ceremony, celebrates not only the family heritage of the descendants of Scottish immigrants to the United States and Canada, but also the friendship of our three nations in peace and war.

So come, especially if you have Scottish heritage, to the Fincastle Presbyterian Church on Back Street for our “Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans” service this 11th of October. Although not required, attendees are welcome to come in kilts or Scottish dress and gather around the bagpiper near the entrance of the church at 10:30 am. After the Kirkin’ service, light Scottish refreshments will be served in the church fellowship hall. For additional information, please contact the church at 540-473-2042.