A ‘Mystery Worshipper'

Wednesday June 29 2016

Jackie Macadam meets a nonagenarian General Assembly overseas delegate with Scottish roots.

ONE of the real characters at this year's General Assembly of the Church of Scotland was happy to claim he was born in the same year as the Queen.

But age is no barrier to Rev Dr Francis Chisholm who claims he is ‘well looked after’ by his three daughters, one of whom is a minister and was a delegate to the General Assembly five years ago.

And he’s enjoying being back in Scotland after many years living in Canada.

‘’I was born in Alloa in 1926,’’ he says, ‘’and I have to say it was a very good year. I count the Queen, Marilyn Munro and even Hugh Heffner among my fellow ‘year of 26ers’!

“I come from a very long line of ministers" he claims.

“My brother, Father, uncle and great-uncle were all ministers – my father preached at what is now Ludgate in Alloa.

“I studied at Edinburgh University at age 17 and then was called up aged 18. I served with the Seaforth Highlanders. The time there made an enormous impression on me and even today I run a web site specialising in the Liturgy for ex soldiers.

The liturgy has always been a passion for Francis. His doctorate was in the Celtic Liturgy, 'The Stow Missal' and his Masters was a study of Robert Bruce, one of the successors to John Knox.

“There’s also a family history of being in the army – my uncle actually gave up the ministry to go and actually fight in the war. He used to write letters from the front back to my aunt who was a typist and she would duly distribute them to members of his old congregation so they could keep abreast of his progress.”

Francis was married in1951 at Richmond Craigmillar with one of his best pals as his best man – the Very Rev Dr Duncan Shaw.

Francis had the wanderlust though, and in 1953 he moved to Canada.

"I was young and adventurous," he says. "My wife Connie had family there so it was not as if we were leaping into the dark."

His advancing years are not slowing him down.

His trip to Edinburgh was certainly full and varied – and proved he was nowhere near slowing down.

"I rose at 7am and went to St Patrick’s in the High Street; then moved on to Old St Paul’s where I always loved the Children's Chapel, then I attended the General Assembly Service and the 11.30 communion.

"After that in the afternoon, I went to Heart and Soul and the closing service there, and to St Mary's Cathedral for evensong.”

Francis has noticed many changes over the years since he left though, and not all for the better.

"I have been amazed at how many beggars there are on the streets now," he said. "especially homeless, ex-servicemen."

"That's terribly sad.

"So many of the buildings I remember are still there but so much has changed all around them."

Francis flew home to continue his work in Canada with the United Church of Canada, preaching with the African Methodist Episcopal Church and working as hospital chaplain at the Hamilton Ontario, a large psychiatric hospital.

He likes to keep up with others though and acts as a 'mystery worshipper', where he casts a critical – but kind – eye over the work other ministers do.

So if you happen to see a jolly little man at the back of your church, make him feel very welcome. It might just get you extra points....