First Presbyterian Church - Dunn, NC
Kirkin' o' the Tartan

The tartan embodies the unity and affection we share, irrespective of our backgrounds. During our Kirkin' ceremony, we honor our ancestors and current family members, seeking divine guidance and blessings for the days ahead. The prayers, hymns, and flowers are chosen with the Scottish heritage of the Presbyterian Church in mind on this day.

History of the Service

We honor clans and tartans because they symbolize the profound bonds of brotherhood among clansmen, where the clan served as their family unit. In ancient times, clans formed as communities for mutual protection, economic stability, and social support, often not bound by blood relations. Scotland faced strict measures from the English parliament and monarchy in the mid-18th century, including the Disarming Act of 1746 to 1782, which prohibited Highland clansmen from carrying weapons and wearing tartan or kilts (enforced from August 1747). According to a later legend, clansmen would clandestinely carry small fragments of the banned tartan cloth to church (Kirk), where clergy would offer blessings during services. Specific tartan patterns emerged organically as different regions favored certain designs woven from local herb dyes.

In commemoration of early Scottish Presbyterianism, Kirkin' o' the Tartan worship services have become a tradition across America. A significant event took place on Sunday evening, April 27, 1941, in Washington, D.C., where a special service was conducted by the renowned pastor Peter Marshall (1935 - 1949) of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church. This service was organized to raise funds, aiming to support Scottish churches during the initial phases of World War II and contribute to the British war effort by providing a mobile kitchen, as stated in the church bulletin. This humble beginning of the Kirkin' service eventually evolved into what we now know as the Kirkin' o' the Tartan. Since 1954, an annual Kirkin' o' the Tartan ceremony has been held at the National Cathedral in the nation's capital.