Where does this event come from; what's its
historical significance? As a modern tradition, the Kirkin' is a North American event, although its origins date back to Scotland and the Disarming Act of 1745, where the Scots were forbidden from wearing their tartans as a result of the Jacobite (Scottish patriots) defeat in 1745 by the English. Thereafter, legend has it that families would hide swatches of their tartan when going to church services and would touch it at a specific time during the service, usually a blessing, as a way to recommit themselves to the Lord and their Scottish heritage.
When did the Kirkin' appear in American history?
Many historians believe the first instance of the Kirkin' in America occurred in the 1940's in the middle of World War II when Dr. Peter Marshall, pastor at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C., recreated the Kirkin' event in the United States as a way to encourage Scottish- Americans to serve in the war effort and most importantly to rededicate themselves to the Lord. Rev. Marshall went on to become the first Chaplain of the United States Senate. The Kirkin' event in Washington is held to this day in National Cathedral.
Is the Kirkin' held by just Presbyterian churches?
No. In fact, because the Kirkin' has the universal theme of service and commitment to the Lord, many churches, protestant and Catholic alike, perform the Kirkin' ceremony in over 50 cathedrals and many churches throughout the United States. It's actually become a way for many people, regardless of their heritage, to reconnect with their faith.
Kirk: "Kirk" is Scottish for church and the Tartan, with its distinctive, cross-lined patterns, represents specific Scottish clans, families, regions and reg- iments.
The Holy Bible: During the Middle Ages and through the Reformation, Bibles were rare among the common people. The Bible of the Kirk (the church) was a treasured possession. The value of the sacred scriptures and the danger of theft: led to the establishment of a special lay office within the Kirk known as the Beadle, as this was the person in charge of carrying and protecting the Holy Bible of the congregation.
The Celtic Cross: This familiar cross is very ancient, for the primitive Celtic Christians trace their origins to a very early era. Many were erected in ancient times as wayside and cemetery crosses. The circle, emblem of eternity, suggests the eternal quality of the Redemption.
Bagpipes: The bagpipe is a musical instrument now regarded as the national instrument of Scotland. Each clan had its own bagpiper and its fame was based to some extent on the bagpiper's ability. Crimond, the bagpiper to the clan McLeod, wrote the tune to the 23rd Psalm we use as our closing hymn.
Tartan and Plaid: Perhaps no symbol is more associated with Scotland and Scottish tradition than the colorful traditions associated with Highland dress. The tradition of the tartan is an old one, and there are many references to it in early Scottish literature. The ancient tartan was described as "chequered" or "striped" or "sundrie coloured." When we refer to the sett of a tartan we mean the pattern, and a length of tartan is made up of one sett repeated over and over again until the desired length is reached. For many centuries, tartans formed part of the everyday dress of the Highland people, and it was there that its use continued and developed until it became recognized as a symbol of clan kinship. Tartans are still being registered with the Scottish Tartan Society. A red, white, and blue tartan was developed for the United States Bicentennial in 1976.
John Knox, Scottish Reformer: Knox studied under John Calvin, the father of Presbyterianism, in Geneva, Switzerland, in the 1500s. Upon returning to Scotland, he wrote the first book of Church Order and established the first Presbyterian churches. The church spread to Ireland and it was immigrants from Scotland and Ireland who brought the Presbyterian Church to America.
