John Ballantyne Cairns
John Cairns | |
|---|---|
| Moderator of the General Assembly | |
| Church | Church of Scotland |
| In office | 1999 to 2000 |
| Predecessor | Alan Main |
| Successor | Andrew McLellan |
| Other post | Dean of the Chapel Royal in Scotland (2006–2013) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1974 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Ballantyne Cairns 1942 (age 83–84) |
| Denomination | Presbyterianism |
John Ballantyne Cairns (born 1942) is a retired minister of the Church of Scotland.
Biography
Following a career as a solicitor, he studied theology and was ordained in 1974. His first charge was as minister at the parishes of Langholm, Ewes and Westerkirk. He then became minister at Riverside Parish Church, Dumbarton (1985-2001). He then served as minister of Aberlady and Gullane Parish Churches, East Lothian, until retiring in 2008.[1] In retirement, he is serving (as of 2011) as part-time locum minister at St Columba's Church, London. His formal title (following the end of his Moderatorial year) is the Very Reverend Dr John Cairns.
He was Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1999-2000 and was appointed Chaplain to the Queen in 1997. He became Dean of the Chapel Royal in Scotland in 2006. He has also held convenerships of several General Assembly boards and committees.
The General Assembly over which he moderated was uniquely held in the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. This was to allow the Scottish Parliament to meet in the Church's Assembly Hall.
Upon the death of James Harkness in August 2026 (Moderator in 1995), Cairns is the surviving Moderator whose time in office was the earliest.[2]
Honours
On 15 January 2013, Cairns was appointed Commander of the Order of St John (CStJ).[3] On 12 July 2013, he was appointed Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO).[4] As a clergyman, he does not use the tile sir.[5] He was promoted to Knight of Justice of the Order of St John (GCStJ) in January 2018.[6]
In 2004, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree.[7]
Honour Ribbons:
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See also
References
- ↑ Fasti Ecclesiæ Scoticanæ, Volume XI (pages 64, 67 and 193), T&T Clark Ltd, Edinburgh, 2000, ISBN 0 567 08750 6
- ↑ Scotland, The Church of (21 August 2026). "Tributes paid to former Moderator and royal chaplain with 'a pastor's heart'". The Church of Scotland. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- ↑ "Order of St John". www.thegazette.co.uk. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
- ↑ "Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood". www.thegazette.co.uk. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
- ↑ "Knight honour for Queen's chaplain". The Scotsman. 10 July 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
- ↑ "Order of St John". www.thegazette.co.uk. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
- ↑ "The Very Rev. John Ballantyne Cairns". www.bristol.ac.uk. University of Bristol. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
- 1942 births
- Living people
- 20th-century ministers of the Church of Scotland
- 20th-century Scottish Presbyterian ministers
- 21st-century ministers of the Church of Scotland
- 21st-century Scottish Presbyterian ministers
- Moderators of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
- Deans of the Chapel Royal in Scotland
- Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order