129:, the renowned 19th-century preacher who had been the first minister of St John's. In the new location, he continued the practice of bilingual ministry, holding services in both Gaelic and English to serve the diverse needs of his flock. He was also involved in practical church administration, including negotiations over the use and maintenance of the new building, which served both as a local place of worship and as the Assembly Hall for the Free Church of Scotland.
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91:, the St Columba's congregation reoccupied their church buildings on Cambridge Street on April 9, 1904. MacLean was inducted as their pastor on August 9, 1905. Under MacLean's leadership, the congregation experienced remarkable growth. By July 1906, church membership had increased to over 500, and by the end of that year, it approached 600.
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prominent role in the
Alliance of Reformed Churches holding the Presbyterian System, representing the Free Church of Scotland. His influence was particularly strong in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Czechoslovakia, and among the Confessional Church in Germany. Five years before his death, MacLean appointed Professor
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As editor, MacLean was known for his "informed and fearless witness for the Faith" and his strong championship of
Reformed Doctrine. His work with the Quarterly helped him develop personal friendships with Reformed leaders across Europe, Africa, the United States, and Australia, who held him in high
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congregation was not capable of managing the property. Despite this setback, MacLean's leadership inspired the congregation during these difficult times. Under
Maclean's guidance, the congregation petitioned the Commission, highlighting their growth and the importance of their ministry. This led to
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Even after leaving his pastoral role at St
Columba's, MacLean maintained his association with the congregation until his death. He regularly worshipped there and served as a member of the Kirk Session. Donald MacLean's career spanned a crucial period in Scottish church history, and his leadership,
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MacLean's leadership extended beyond his editorial role. In 1909, he was appointed as a member of the
Commission of Assembly, a body granted broad powers to make decisions on behalf of the church, particularly regarding the "exceptional circumstances" it was facing in the wake of the 1905 Churches
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In 1905, MacLean was called to St
Columba's Free Church in Edinburgh. This congregation had experienced significant turmoil following the 1900 Union. The previous minister, Rev. Malcolm Maclennan, D.D., had joined the United Free Church along with a majority of the congregation. A minority group,
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Colleagues remembered MacLean for his "unflinchingly upright character and warm-hearted friendship." His scholarly contributions and editorial work with the
Evangelical Quarterly played a significant role in strengthening and consolidating Reformed Theology in the early 20th century. He played a
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Throughout this transition, Maclean provided steady leadership and pastoral care, maintaining the congregation's unity and even fostering growth. Maclean saw himself and his congregation as continuing in the tradition of the original Free Church, even as they occupied a building with a different
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Donald MacLean was born in
September 1869 in Lochcarron, Ross-shire, Scotland. He spent his boyhood in the Highland region, which likely influenced his later interests and character. MacLean attended the University of Aberdeen at a young age, where he distinguished himself academically. He later
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In May 1907, Maclean led the St
Columba's congregation into their new place of worship, formerly St John's Church. At the first service in the new building, Maclean addressed the congregation, acknowledging their loyalty and patience through years of uncertainty. He reaffirmed his commitment to
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a reconsideration and eventually resulted in the allocation of St John's Church to the Free Church in 1907, which they adapted to serve as the annual meeting place of the Free Church
General Assembly, as well as becoming the new home for St Columba's congregation until present days.
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In 1918, the General Assembly transferred MacLean to the full-time appointment of Secretary of the Highlands and Islands, Home Mission, and Supply Committee. Two years later, in 1920, he became Professor of Church History and Church Principles in the Free Church College (now
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MacLean began his ministerial career as the minister of Moy Free Church from 1897 to 1905. He was one of the 26 ministers who remained with the Free Church after the Union of 1900, which saw the majority of Free Church congregations join with the
29:(1869–1943) was a Scottish minister and theologian who played a significant role in the Free Church of Scotland during a period of ecclesiastical upheaval in the early 20th century. He was principal of the
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preaching the Gospel, stating, 'I shall have no message to give but one, and no other message honouring to God is known to me than that Christ came to seek and save that which was lost.'
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During World War I, MacLean organized support for Gaelic-speaking soldiers, sailors, and prisoners of war. His efforts were publicly acknowledged in the House of Commons.
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in Edinburgh. He was appointed professor of church history and church principles in 1920, and principal in 1942, but died the following year. He also co-founded
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Shortly before his death, he was appointed Principal of the Free Church College. MacLean passed away on January 30, 1943, while serving as Principal.
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186:(Scotland) Act. This appointment underscores his prominence and authority within the Free Church during a turbulent period in its history.
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studied at New College and the University of Edinburgh, where he furthered his Celtic studies alongside his theological education.
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history. He stated, 'We claim without presumption to be the lineal descendants of the Church which Guthrie adorned,' referring to
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scholarship, and editorial work left a lasting impact on the Free Church of Scotland and the broader Reformed tradition.
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MacLean's ministry faced a significant challenge when the Executive Commission, established by the Government under
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He was twice (1919 & 1937) called to serve as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Free Church.
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as Assistant Editor of the Evangelical Quarterly, ensuring the continuation of his scholarly legacy.
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however, remained loyal to the Free Church and initially met in temporary locations. Following a
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MacLean was a prolific scholar, particularly in Celtic studies. His notable works include:
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511:"THE PRINCIPAL ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE Free Church of Scotland 1900 – 1909"
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These Hundred Years 1845-1945: FREE ST COLUMBA, EDINBURGH (Formerly Free St John's)
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W.H. Hamilton, "'In Piam Memoriam': Principal Donald Maclean, D.D. 1869-1943,"
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W.H. Hamilton, "'In Piam Memoriam': Principal Donald Maclean, D.D. 1869-1943,"
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W.H. Hamilton, "'In Piam Memoriam': Principal Donald Maclean, D.D. 1869-1943,"
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103:'s chairmanship, decided on October 23, 1906, to allocate St Columba's to the
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MacLean's contributions to the church and academia were widely recognized:
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Rev. Maclean was a voluminous writer, his best-known publications being:
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Translation and commentary on the Cain Domnaig (Law of the Lord's Day)
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Free St Columba's: A History of Congregation and Church
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Free St Columba's: A History of Congregation and Church
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Free St Columba's: A History of Congregation and Church
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Free St Columba's: A History of Congregation and Church
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Free St Columba's: A History of Congregation and Church
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20th-century ministers of the Free Church of Scotland
107:. This decision was based on the assessment that the
612:This biography of a Scottish religious figure is a
393:. Edinburgh: Columba Publications. pp. 46–54.
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Translations of the Gaelic Poems of Dugald Buchanan
678:Presidents of Calvinist and Reformed seminaries
468:. Edinburgh: Columba Publications. p. 57.
443:. Edinburgh: Columba Publications. p. 55.
418:. Edinburgh: Columba Publications. p. 54.
368:. Edinburgh: Columba Publications. p. 44.
576:. Edinburgh: Lindsay & Co. pp. 12–13.
257:The Counter-Reformation in Scotland, 1560-1930
245:The Law of the Lord’s Day in the Celtic Church
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688:20th-century Scottish Presbyterian ministers
341:The Tyndale Fellowship For Biblical Research
19:For other people named Donald Maclean, see
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172:MacLean was the founder and editor of the
302:"Chronicle of the Free Church Colleges"
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239:The Spiritual Songs of Dugald Buchanan
64:United Presbyterian Church of Scotland
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233:The Literature of the Scottish Gael
693:Scottish religious biography stubs
251:Aspects of Scottish Church History
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116:Transition to St John's Building
21:Donald Maclean (disambiguation)
16:British theologian and minister
663:Scottish Christian theologians
140:Edinburgh Theological Seminary
68:United Free Church of Scotland
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520:. The Free Church of Scotland
509:The Free Church of Scotland.
133:Later career and achievements
616:. You can help Knowledge by
518:The Free Church of Scotland
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572:Collins, G. N. M. (1945).
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590:15.2 (April 1943): 85-90.
588:The Evangelical Quarterly
562:15.2 (April 1943): 85-90.
560:The Evangelical Quarterly
547:The Evangelical Quarterly
497:The Evangelical Quarterly
352:The Evangelical Quarterly
291:15.2 (April 1943): 85-90.
289:The Evangelical Quarterly
168:Scholarly work and legacy
95:Challenges and relocation
36:The Evangelical Quarterly
549:15.1 (Jan. 1943): 81–82.
499:15.1 (Jan. 1943): 81–82.
354:19.1 (Jan. 1947): 52–61.
346:19 November 2011 at the
221:Duthil: Past and Present
204:World War I contribution
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87:as the true heir of the
83:judgment that ruled the
74:St Columba's Free Church
43:Early life and education
464:Grant, Maurice (1991).
439:Grant, Maurice (1991).
414:Grant, Maurice (1991).
389:Grant, Maurice (1991).
364:Grant, Maurice (1991).
241:(revised edition)(1913)
227:Travels in Sunny Lands
151:University of Aberdeen
85:continuing Free Church
174:Evangelical Quarterly
155:Doctorate of Divinity
89:original Free Church
309:Free Church College
31:Free Church College
105:United Free Church
52:Ministerial career
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192:J. H. S. Burleigh
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668:1869 births
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109:Free Church
657:Categories
337:F.F. Bruce
322:11 October
275:References
101:Lord Elgin
543:Foreword
524:8 August
493:Foreword
344:Archived
259:(1931).
180:esteem.
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247:(1926)
235:(1912)
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