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Rev Dr William MacKelvie (1800-1863), originally from Kirkgate, Leith, was ordained as minister at Balgedie Burgher Congregation (later Balgedie United Presbyterian Church) on 25 August 1829. Rev MacKelvie was very much in favour of the union of the Secession and Relief churches which took place in 1847 forming the United Presbyterian Church, and strongly supported the cause. Just prior to that union, he was awarded the degree of D.D. from Hamilton College, New York in 1846, and later appointed Moderator of the United Presbyterian Synod in 1856. The congregation at Balgedie flourished under his ministry and increased to such an extent that the church building was enlarged. During his lifetime Rev MacKelvie published several works, but he is best known for his work 'Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church' which was published by the Synod in 1873. Many years of Rev MacKelvie's life were devoted to this particular work, and although almost complete, ill-health meant that it was left unfinished upon his death in 1863. However, Rev MacKelvie's widow presented the manuscript to the Synod and a church committee was set up under the editorship of Dr William Blair of Dunblane to undertake the task of completing the work. |