Margaret Macgregor

Margaret Ann Kinniburgh Macgregor, n. Burns, was a Christian missionary born in Edinburgh on 11 November 1838, and died on 20 January 1901 in Glasgow.[1] She was the daughter of Jeanie Marshall and James Burns, clerk, and later married Thomas Macgregor.[2]

Religious work

Margaret attended the Lothian Road United Presbyterian Church in Edinburgh, but experienced an evangelical conversion during the evangelical revival in Scotland (1859–61), following which she joined St Mary's Free Church in Govan. She was involved with the church's Sabbath school and outreach work, and in 1869 began to visit the sick, and hold meetings for local mothers in her home. She also held both evangelical gospel kitchen meetings and bible classes for young men and women. In 1883, she moved to Harmony Row, and Isabella Elder funded her work.

As Lady Superintendent of the Fairfield Works Mission, she was responsible for a number of initiatives. The mission strategy included sewing and kitchen meetings, offering women skills and materials, instruction in domestic duties and bible studies in an atmosphere of prayer.[3] Known as Govan's 'Bible wumman',[2] Margaret ran the mission on non-denominational lines and sought co-operation with local Protestant congregations.[3] A nursery offered childcare for working women and widowers.[3]

The Macgregor memorial church

The Macgregor Memorial Church (constructed between 1902–04) was erected in Glasgow in her honour, on the corner of Craigton Road and Crosslan Road. It was designed by James Miller (who also designed buildings for the Glasgow International Exhibition in 1901) was demolished in 1994 to make way for a car park.[4] The congregation was merged with Govan Old Church.[4]

Education

Margaret attended Moray House School in Edinburgh.[3]

References

  1. The Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Women. Edinburgh University Press. 2006. p. 224. ISBN 0748617132.
  2. 1 2 Kelly, Tom (2008). Celebrating Margaret Macgregor. Glasgow: Friends of Govan Old. ISBN 978-0-9545321-7-8.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Pipes, Rose (2006). The Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Women. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. p. 224. ISBN 0-7486-1713-2.
  4. 1 2 "Car park to replace landmark church". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 2016-07-02.

Further reading

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