Obituaries Australia

The death of the Rev Roger MacKinnon, which took place on Wednesday at St. Peter's Manse, North Sydney, removes one of the foremost preachers of the Presbyterian Church of New South Wales, one who hold the position of Moderator of the Assembly with much distinction, and one who for the past 25 years had laboured with zeal and faithfulness as the pastor of the St. Leonards Church. After working for some years at Penrith and St. Marys in connection with the synod of Eastern Australia, Mr MacKinnon pursued his studies as a candidate for the ministry, with the sanction of the General Assembly, under the Hawkesbury Presbytery, and was licensed to preach in 1868. His first charge was Wollongong, where he was very successful, and formed good congregations. In 1872 he accepted a call to Hill End, which had just risen to fame owing to its extraordinary gold production. A large and handsome church was built there, and opened free from debt. In 1876 Mr MacKinnon undertook the charge of Tumut and Adelong, which was at that time a neglected district. Here again good progress was made, and two churches were built. In 1878 he received and accepted a call to St. Peter's, North Sydney, where he remained as pastor until his death. Gifted with much natural eloquence, full of evangelical fervour, and endowed with intellectual vigour he attracted large congregations, and during his long pastorate the church was twice enlarged.

In the Presbyterian Assembly, which is the parliament of the Church, Mr Mackinnon was held in high esteem by his brethren, and was always listened to with attention. In 1815 they conferred upon him the highest honours in their power by electing him Moderator without opposition. It is a noteworthy fact that a unanimous election to the Moderatorship by all the presbyteries is of occurrence, and at the time Mr MacKinnon was elevated to the position only four previous Moderators had been elected without opposition during 20 years. He also had the distinction of being the first minister trained in the colony to be elected as Moderator.

The deceased leaves a widow, one son, Dr. MacKinnon, who is in practice at North Sydney, and two daughters, Mrs Arthur Vallack, of Bowral, and Mrs Robert Kirkpatrick, of Warialda.