Tribute to former Moderator of the General Assembly who has died
Published on 3 November 2023
A former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has died.
Very Rev Dr Hugh R Wyllie served in the role in 1992-93 and was minister of Hamilton Old Parish Church in South Lanarkshire from 1981 until his retirement in 2000.
He celebrated the 60th anniversary of his ordination as a Minister of Word and Sacrament last year and addressed a meeting of the Presbytery of Forth Valley and Clydesdale to mark the momentous occasion.
The presbytery has released a statement.
It reads: "We were saddened to be informed of the death of our colleague and friend Very Rev Dr Hugh R Wyllie this week.
"Hugh served as minister of Hamilton Old Parish Church from 1981 until his retirement in 2000.
"During this time as a parish minister, he introduced ‘Dial-a-Fact' on drugs and alcohol and founded the Hamilton Centre for Information for the Unemployed.
"He also served as Chaplain to the Royal British Legion, the Lanarkshire Burma Star Association, Hamilton Grammar School and Strathclyde Police Q Division and was co-founder of the Hamilton and District Festival of Remembrance.
"He was made an Honorary Freeman of Hamilton District (1992) in recognition of all he did for the community.
Gracious and supportive
"At the same time, he held office as Moderator of the Presbytery of Hamilton (1989-90); Convenor of the General Assembly Stewardship and Budget Committee (1978-83), Stewardship and Finance Board (1983-86) and Assembly Council (1987-91) before taking up his role as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland (1992-93).
He was also minister previously in Dunbeth Church in Coatbridge and Cathcart South Church in Glasgow.
"Last year, Hugh celebrated the 60th anniversary of his ordination and made a speech to presbytery.
"He was visited at home to mark the occasion by the Provost of South Lanarkshire Council, Margaret Cooper and Rev Dr Shaw Paterson, Moderator Designate of the General Assembly for 2024-2025 who was a probationer minister under the supervision of Dr Wyllie at the start of his own ministry.
"Hugh was a wonderfully gracious and supportive minister to parish, congregation and colleagues, he will be missed by all those he ministered to right up until his death.
"Our prayers are with his family, especially with his loving wife Eileen and his daughters, Hazel and Helen."