James Chalmers Burns

Kirkliston Free Church

He was born on 29 March 1809 in the manse at Brechin the second son of the Rev James Burns (1774-1837) and his wife Christina Chalmers (1774-1837). He studied Divinity at Glasgow University. His first employment was as assistant to Rev Dr James Buchanan at North Leith Church on Madeira Street in Edinburgh.[1]

He was ordained into the Church of Scotland at the Scots Church at London Wall in 1837.

In the Disruption of 1843 he left the established church and joined the Free Church, being given an immediate position at Kirkliston. The church, originally built as a simple box chapel, was one of the first built for the Free Church and was opened by Rev Thomas Chalmers himself. In 1879 he was elected Moderator of the General Assembly, succeeding Rev Andrew Bonar. He was succeeded as Moderator in 1880 by Rev Thomas Main.[1]

A spire was added to his church in 1880 greatly improving the appearance, to a design by Edinburgh architect, Hippolyte Blanc.[2]

He retired as minister of Kirkliston in 1890 being replaced by Rev Robert Alexander Lendrum.[3]

He died on 30 November 1892[4] and is buried in Kirkliston churchyard.[5]

Kirkliston Free Church is now the Thomas Chalmers Centre.[6]

He was portrayed by William Hole RSA in 1887.[7]

In 1838 he married Anne Robertson (1815-1884), daughter of Commander Thomas Robertson RN. They had four daughters and one son.

His daughter Christina Chalmers Burns married James Guthrie of Pitforthie, a banker and son of Rev Dr Thomas Guthrie. His daughter Anne Jemima, married Charles John Guthrie, Lord Guthrie.[8]