Kenneth Macleay Phin (1816–1888) was a Scottish minister who served as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1877. He ran the Church of Scotland’s Home Mission Scheme. As a church campaigner and pamphleteer he was known as The Investigator.
Life
He was born on 23 April 1816 the only son of Margaret Elizabeth, the daughter of Provost Macleay of Caithness, and Rev Robert Phin (1777–1840) minister of Wick. His mother died soon after he was born. He was sent to study at the University of Edinburgh and licensed to preach as a Church of Scotland minister by the Presbytery of Caithness in November 1837.Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae; by Hew Scott
He was ordained as minister of Galashiels from May 1841 under patronage of Hugh Scott of Gala.The Scottish Christian Herald 1841 He was a member of the Wodrow Society, based in Edinburgh 1841 to 1847. In 1863 he spoke against the admission of women into Scottish universities.Church of Scotland: Report of Proceedings of Seventh Annual Congress, 1863 He retired in 1870The History of Galashiels: Robert Hall and thereafter committed himself fully to mission work in Scottish cities. His position in Galashiels was filled by Rev Paton James Gloag. From 1863 to 1888 Phin was Convenor of the Army and Navy Chaplains Committee. The University of Edinburgh awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity in 1869.
During his mission work he operated from 22 Queen Street in Edinburgh's New Town and lived at 13 Chalmers Street near the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.Edinburgh and Leith Post Office Directory 1887-8Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1886
He died in Edinburgh on 12 January 1888 and is buried in Grange Cemetery. The grave lies on the south edge of the north-west section, backing onto the embankment.
Family
In March 1852 he married Margaret Thomson Pitcairn (1826–1905)Grave of Rev Phin, Grange Cemetery of 8 Ainslie Place on the Moray Estate in Edinburgh's West End, daughter of the late James Pitcairn.Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1852
References