While the Kirkin’ o’ th Tartans service celebrates Scotland and Scottish heritage, it is a truly a Scottish-American custom. The Rev. Dr. Peter Marshall, originally from Coatbridge, Scotland, was the pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington DC, and served as Chaplain of the United States Senate before his untimely death in 1949.
Rev. Marshall was very proud of his home country and was a member of the St. Andrew’s Society of Washington D.C., which assisted Rev. Marshall with the first Kirkin’ services. In 1954, the Kirkin’ was moved to the National Cathedral in Washington .
The St. Andrews Society of Atlanta has created over 120 banners of Clan tartans. These tartan banners can be seen at the Tartan Forest display at the annual Stone Mountain Highland Games, and by request at various Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan services around Metro Atlanta; the Kirkin’ service sponsored annually by the SAS Atlanta Chapter is at St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church in Dunwoody.
Requests for Kirkin’ service support at other churches may be submitted using the “Contact Us” form on this website. Requests must be made at least 2 weeks in advance.