The Very Reverend John Angus MacInnis (1886 - 1964) Inducted 1985

John Angus MacInnis was born on a farm in Mira, Cape Breton Island, on June 22, 1886, to Scottish parents. He graduated from Queen's University and received his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York. Answering his country's call, he served in Britain and France during World War I, suffering severe wounds.

The Presbytery of Kingston ordained him into the Christian ministry in 1921, and he dedicated his whole life in service to his church.

He answered a call from the Orillia Presbyterian Church and was inducted as minister on Jan. 3, 1929. Thus began thirty-three years of a distinguished pastorate, during which he led his congregation through a depression and another World War, keeping the faith in difficult times. He endeared himself to the hearts of the Highlanders as he conversed with them in their beloved Gaelic, and at one annual service at Old Knox Church in Oro preached a sermon in Gaelic.

He gave himself unstintingly to the service of the community. He was co-founder of the Victorian Order of Nurses in Orillia, served on the Board of Education and was a member of the Masonic Order and the Kiwanis Club. He was a well respected Padre of Branch 34 of the Royal Canadian Legion. Knox College conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1947, honouring him for his leadership.

In 1952, Dr. MacInnis was elected Moderator of the 78th General Assembly. As Moderator, Dr. MacInnis, with his wife, had the honour of representing the Presbyterian Church in Canada at the coronation of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953.

Recognizing the high esteem in which Dr. MacInnis was held, and in grateful memory, at his death in 1964, the congregation established a memorial bursary in his name for the encouragement of students training for Christian service.