Rev. J. Macartney Wilson,
pastor of the Knox Presbyterian church in Calgary, is an influential and
highly esteemed citizen. He was born in Scotland, a son of Rev. James
and Grace (Macartney) Wilson, both of whom were born and died in that
country. The father received his education in the University of Glasgow
and taught school before entering the ministry, in which latter calling
he was active for fifty years, forty years of which time he held charges
in Dundee. He was a man of great intellectual attainments and stood high
among the foremost divines of his day. Throughout his life he gave his
political endorsement to the Liberal party and was prominent in party
affairs. To Rev, and Mrs. James Wilson four children were born, Rev. J.
Macartney being the eldest of the family.
In the acquirement of his
education J. Macartney Wilson attended the public schools of Dundee and
was graduated from high school there. Subsequently he entered St.
Andrew's University and that institution conferred the M. A. and B. D.
degrees upon him. He likewise attended the Presbyterian Theological Hall
at Edinburgh. His first charge was in Bath street, Glasgow, and he
served there eleven years, and then went to London, England, where he
was pastor of the Park church for ten years. In 1912 he located in Nova
Scotia as pastor of the United church at New Glasgow and held that
charge four years, and in 1917 he came to Calgary as pastor of the Knox
Presbyterian church. He has one of the finest churches in the Dominion,
with a membership of one thousand. Dr. Wilson has made many friends
since coming here and has rendered valuable service to the community.
Since coming to Calgary he was awarded the D. D. degree by the Pine
Creek College.
Dr. Wilson has ever been
interested in work of a journalistic nature and for five years he edited
the Presbyterian Messenger of London, Eng- land, while he contributed
many articles to the Christian Commonwealth and was dramatic critic for
one year in London. His sermons have appeared in many magazines and
newspapers throughout the Dominion and are examples of literary genius.
He has also given many lectures in every part of the country on subjects
of an artistic and literary nature. Dr. Wilson enters into all that he
undertakes with a contagious enthusiasm and because of his wide learning
and mental resource his friends are among the strongest intellectual
forces of the province. Mr. Wilson is unmarried. |