TRIBUTES have been paid to a former church minister who has passed away at the age of 96.
The Rev Dr Donald McAlister served as minister of Blackadder Church, North Berwick, from 1960 until his retiral in 1989.
That year Blackadder Church and the town’s St Andrew’s Church united to form the congregation of St Andrew Blackadder.
Dr McAlister (pictured) was born in 1926 in Orkney and was a beloved husband of the late Marda and a much-loved dad, grandad and great-grandad.
His family moved to Bainsford, near Falkirk, when he was a young boy.
Ordained in 1951, he took on the parish of McIntosh Memorial in Fort William before moving to North Berwick, where he had fond memories of summer holidays.
During his time in North Berwick, he was remembered by friends for his generosity and dedication to others, often bringing home strangers to enjoy a meal with his family. His ministry was defined, said those close to him, by his “precision and authority in preaching”.
Dr McAlister retired in 1989, moving to Moulin, Pitlochry, after 71 years working with the church.
He died peacefully on July 10 at Perth Royal Infirmary.
The Very Rev Dr Derek Browning, of Morningside Parish Church and Moderator of the 2017 General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, sat in Dr McAlister’s services while he was a pupil at North Berwick High School.
At his funeral service at Pitlochry Parish Church on Tuesday, he said: “Donald had a quiet pride in all three of his children, and in all of his grandchildren, and would have been very proud of his new great-grandchild.”
Share