News

Parish News

Wednesday January 26 2022

Our regular round-up of news received from churches

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^{Left: Teddy McCandless, with parents Kris and Jennifer. Right: Terry's great, great, great grandfather, John Robertson}

A baptism in St Cuthbert’s Parish Church, Saltcoats, in North Ayrshire late last year extended a family’s connection to the church to at least six generations over more than 150 years.

Teddy McCandless is the great, great, great grandson of John Robertson, founder of Robertson’s Fine Foods in 1870 and, by 1908, the church’s senior elder.

John’s son Robert and grandson Humphrey were both also elders, and Humphrey’s daughter Lynn Fraser became an active member, particularly in the choir. Her daughter, Jennifer Fraser, married Kris McCandless in the church three years ago, and they brought Teddy to be baptised on November 28.

Session Clerk William Parker (who is also connected to the family, being the grandson of Robert Robertson’s twin sister, Annie), said that the family connection could well go back further, as there was every chance John Robertson would have been brought up in the church’s predecessor building, Ardrossan Parish Church. He said: “We recognise and appreciate being present at this unique occasion and extend a particularly warm welcome to this new member of our church family.”

Robert Anderson has received a certificate for 40 years' service to Largoward Church in Fife. He is pictured with Largoward Locum Minister, the Rev Daniel Connolly, who made the presentation.