List of Kirk of Calder Ministers from 1526 to Present

Rev William Watt our 23rd Minister was inducted on 12th February 2025

Previous Ministers

1526-1546/7 Peter Sandilands A younger son of the 5th Knight of Calder. The last Roman Catholic Priest of the Parish. The Present building was planned by him and founded in 1541.
1548-1585 John Spottiswoode Took holy orders at the hands of Archbishop Cranmer in London. A strong supporter of the Reformation and so known to Sir James Sandilands of Calder. Witnessed the marriage of Mary, Queen of Scots and the Dauphin of France in 1558. With John Knox, he was among six elected to draw up the Reformation teachings, and he was made Superintendent of the Lothians.
1585-1604 John Spottiswoode Son of above, born in Mid Calder in 1565, and educated at University of Glasgow and succeeded his father in the Parish of Calder in 1583.. Accompanied King James VI to London in 1603 on his accession to the English throne. Became Archbishop of Glasgow, and in 1615 Archbishop of St. Andrews and primate of Scotland, In 1635 he was appointed Lord Chancellor of Scotland. He Crowned King Charles 1 (King of Scotland) at Holyrood in 1633. (Charles I had been crowned King of England in 1626); He died in 1639, and is buried at Westminster Abbey.
1604-1616 Robert Gilmure Graduate of Edinburgh. Died in 1616 aged 39.
1617-1638 John Tennent A younger son of James Tennent of Linhouse. Graduate of Glasgow. The bell-tower was built and a bell was purchased during his incumbency.
1638-1641 George Dunbar Formerly minister in Ayr. Opponent of the Royal and Episcopal authority. Banished to Ireland from 1624-37.
1643-1660 Hew Kennedie Of covenanting sentiments. Crusaded against the Calder witches. He was deposed in 1660 for his covenanting views. In 1667 he became minister in Trinity College Church, Edinburgh.
1663-1671 John Colvill Episcopal views, as approved by the authorities. Died in 1671 aged 41.
1672-1674 John Somervell Episcopal. During his incumbency the Communion cups were purchased.
Translated to Cramond Parish in 1674. Deprived of his parish in1689 for his Jacobite views.
bullet 1675-1689 Norman Mackenzie Previously minister in Whitburn. Deserted the charge when the Revolution took place. Became a brewer in Edinburgh, where he died in 1701.
1689-1696 William Burnett Translated to Falkirk in 1696.
1698-1758 John Lookup Classical and literary scholar. Died aged 84, in 1758 after ministry of 60 years.
1759-1772 James Watson Translated from Torphichen Parish. Died at the age of 50 in 1772.
1773-1792 James Dobie Ordained in Mid Calder. Translated to Linlithgow in 1792, where he was minister till his death in 1826 at the age of 80.
1792-1794 James Wilson Native of Lanarkshire. Translated to Falkirk in 1794.
1794-1842 John Summers Historian and author of a History of the Parish, printed in 1838. Given an honorary D.D. by Glasgow University in 1818. Memorial to him is found on the north wall of the building.
1843-1882 William Walker Building enlarged and restored during his ministry. Died aged 80 in 1882.
1883-1893 Matthew Gardner Translated to Peebles in 1893.

1894-1907 David John Porteous Translated to Port Glasgow in 1907.
1907-1949 William Weir Clark Previously assistant at Paisley Abbey. Retired in 1949. During his ministry the church was given the name of St John’s Parish (1929). Died in 1956
1949 -1981 David Rosie Previously minister in Stranraer. In 1956 he became minister of the united charge of Kirk of Calder, a result of the closure of Bridgend Parish Church, the former United Free Church. Died , 1981.
1981-2021 John Povey Ordained in 1981,
having been licensed by the Presbytery of Paisley in 1980. Retired 31st August 2021 .

West Lothian news Interview With the Congregation on his last service in Aug 2021

From August 2021 to February 2025, as the Church of Scotland at the time was having a review of all Parishes countrywide, we had to wait until that had happened till we we allowed to call a new minister. We got permission in mid 2024 and set up a nominating committee to invite applications and ultimately recommend the appointment a new minister.

In the meantime the Edinburgh and West Lothian Presbytery appointed an Interim Moderator Rev. Nanda Groenewald (Minister at West Calder and Polbeth Parish Church) and she led the session for the first couple of years, organised locum ministers for our Sunday Services, and set the work in motion to appoint a new minister. The retired Rev Gordon Jamieson then took over the interim Moderator role until his unexpected sudden death in mid 2024 and Rev. Liam Fraser then took it forward till the new minister was appointed.

bullet Rev William Watt our 23rd Minister was inducted on 12th February 2025 (see above)