At Scotiana.com, we cherish the stories that bind Scotland, France, and Canada together across generations and few are as rich and symbolic as the legacy of Rev. John Bethune, Montreal’s first Presbyterian minister and great-grandfather of the internationally renowned Dr. Norman Bethune.
The Sound of Bagpipes in Montreal
Anglican Christ Church Cathedral, Montreal
When Rev. John Bethune arrived in Montreal in March 1786, the Scottish community rejoiced. Until then, Presbyterian Scots had no congregation of their own and reluctantly attended the Anglican Christ Church Cathedral. The minister there, Rev. Charles Chabrand Delisle, a Frenchman was meant to unify Protestants, but his struggle with the English language made his sermons difficult to follow.
Bethune, a Highland Scot from the Isle of Skye, brought with him the Gaelic tongue, an Aberdeen education, and the spirit of the Kirk.
His arrival marked a turning point, drawing Scots away from the Anglican congregation to form what would become the St. Gabriel Street Presbyterian Church, the mother church of Montreal’s Presbyterians.
A Man of the Cloth, a Man of the People
Bethune’s life was shaped by the tides of history. After emigrating to North Carolina with 2,000 fellow Scots, he chose loyalty to the British Crown during the American Revolution. He served as a chaplain to Loyalist regiments, eventually relocating to Nova Scotia and then to Montreal.
With nine children and few resources, Bethune accepted a land grant in Williamstown, Glengarry (Upper Canada) in 1787, where he continued his ministry under rugged conditions. Over the years, he baptized 2,379 people across Eastern Ontario and the borderlands of Quebec, riding through wilderness trails as a true saddlebag preacher.
Even in the War of 1812, he returned to military service as chaplain, accompanying troops across the frozen St. Lawrence River to Ogdensburgh, New York.
The Legacy Lives On: From Pulpit to Battlefield
Though John Bethune passed in 1815, his legacy echoes profoundly. His great-grandson, Dr. Norman Bethune, would rise to global prominence for his battlefield medical innovations in Spain and China, becoming a revered figure in Chinese history. From preacher to physician, the Bethunes have served across borders, languages, and causes, uniting people through faith, courage, and compassion.
Source: A Preacher For The Scots – 100 more Tales from All Our Yesterdays by Edgar Andrew Collard, c1990, The Gazette
Canada Scott# 1265a – 1990-03-02
A Philatelic Tribute
In recognition of Dr. Norman Bethune’s humanitarian legacy, Canada Post issued commemorative stamps honoring his work.
These stamps offer a symbolic bridge between generations, telling the story of service that began in the Gaelic pulpits of Montreal and extended to the battlefields of the world.
“A tireless champion of medical excellence and health care for all peoples
Norman Bethune is most remembered for his use of the mobile blood transfusion unit, which saved many lives in the Spanish Civil War where he performed countless blood transfusions in the midst of heavy fighting, and which represents a significant contribution in military-medical history.
Bethune wrote extensively on the development of new surgical instruments, helping to establish a body of work that would be an essential reference for any surgeon. In 1936, while living in Montreal, Bethune proposed a universal health care system for Canada. Although the suggestion was not readily accepted, Bethune’s good works abroad and compelling recommendations would eventually find a place in the Canadian medical system.” cdnmedhall.ca
Janice – Scotiana Team
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