Rev David C Macfarlane

Longtime Peebles parish minister, after dinner speaker, Rotary president and Warden

The Reverend David C Macfarlane. Born: 10 June, 1931. Died: 7 June, 2018

David Cockburn Macfarlane was born in Glasgow in 1931. He died just three days short of his 87th birthday. He was the youngest of three sons of John and Helen Macfarlane, his elder brothers being John and Ross. Both predeceased him. His father was a distinguished educationist, Rector of Bellahouston Academy and President of the Scottish Headmasters’ Association.

Educated at the High School of Glasgow, David went on to the University of Glasgow, graduating MA in 1953 and being awarded the Walter Scott prize in the process. In his younger days David played rugby, both at school and with Glasgow high school fps until a serious injury ended his playing days.

It was only after he had completed his Arts degree that David seriously considered entering the ministry. What a blessing that he did. He went on to study divinity at Trinity College, Glasgow, again gaining a prize along the way, this time for public speaking and preaching. While at Trinity his summer job was as Purser with David Macbrayne on the Oban to Barra run which was a seminal time for him, instilling a love of the Outer Isles that recurred throughout his life. The annual summer fortnight family holiday on Harris became sacrosanct as a time to read, reflect and indulge his talent as an artist.

When David was appointed Probationer Assistant at Dunblane Cathedral, Penny Broadfoot was a member of the Choir. It happened that the Assistant sat facing the choir, much to the delight of this particular assistant and instant mutual attraction grew quickly into strong affection and soon, love.

After their marriage, David and Penny spent 11 very happy years at Aberlady before coming to Peebles in 1970 to begin a 27-year ministry.

David’s faith was intellectually robust but never obscurely academic. His Christianity was a thoroughly practical and realistic faith that he eloquently communicated both in his preaching and in pastoral ministry. It was of the utmost importance to David that parish worship should be marked by dignity, good order and thorough preparation.

Beyond the life of the congregations, David Macfarlane’s impact on the community was immense. Grieving families, troubled households, struggling individuals were touched by gracious and profoundly concerned ministry. Whether it was the middle of the day or the middle of the night, David would be there, because matching his passion for the Gospel was his passion for people. Equally, he shared to the full in folks’ joys and celebrations. Following in the footsteps of Christ he felt at ease being where the people were, in homes, on the streets, in the hostelries, yes and even in the queue in the chippie.

David was always immensely proud of sons David, Alasdair and Iain. As they grew through teenage years and beyond, he entered into – indeed he probably encouraged – all the fun and mischief of the day. When their friends came to stay at the manse, attendance at Sunday worship was a given and it’s reckoned that the willingness of so many of their friends to comply with this rule stemmed from the sheer disbelief that the hugely entertaining man of the house could actually be a minister.

At a celebration to mark his 25 years at Peebles Old, the late Walter Geddes spoke of David’s sermon content being “comprehensive and topical and delivered with easy eloquence and he speaks his mind on subjects close to his heart.”

For 27 years David Macfarlane graced the pulpit in Peebles Old, in Eddleston Church and, for a number of years at Lyne and Manor. It was of the utmost importance to David that parish worship should be marked by dignity, good order and thorough preparation on the part of those leading it.

Peebles Old Parish looks as it does today, largely due to David Macfarlane’s vision. The rearrangement of the chancel, the remodelling of the North Aisle, the new organ console, the choir stalls – David’s determination, tact and drive made all of these happen. Nor can we forget the building of the Church Centre. How fitting that, after his retirement, the Kirk Session renamed the Church Centre the Macfarlane Hall.

In Peebles, David was a Callant; a member and pastpresident of the Rotary Club; a member of the Guildry Corporation; and a past Warden of Neidpath. He was also a celebrated, gifted and prolific after-dinner speaker, who entertained many with his addresses over the years.

David Macfarlane leaves a legacy of many precious memories: his joie de vivre; his compassion; his ready humour; his dignity in worship; his generous giving of himself in ministry; his love of nonsense; his sound faith and straightforward love of Jesus Christ; and his absolute devotion to Penny and his family.

One final story from his friend and colleague Andrew Lees:

“I was visiting David Ogston (my parish minister in Balerno before I entered the ministry) in Ninewells Hospital shortly before he died. He said to me, “Murray Leishman (another minister), was visiting me and he said, ‘I’m going to tell you about the finest piece of parish ministry I’ve ever seen. It concerned friends of mine who got news one night that their son had been killed mountaineering.

I went immediately to see them and when I was there, their parish minister arrived. Knowing how trite ministers can be in such situations, I went to the living-room door to eavesdrop on the first words the minister spoke. He came in and said, “Is this not just hellish?” Murray continued: ‘Sympathy, honesty but most of all bare-knuckled empathy, it was perfect. And the minister’s name … was David Macfarlane.’”

REVEREND CALUM MACDOUGAL