Thomas Nairn | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | c1680 |
| Died | February 1764 |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Denomination | (1) Church of Scotland (2) Associate Presbytery/ Secession Church (3) Reformed Presbytery (4) Church of Scotland |
Thomas Nairn was a controversial Scottish Presbyterian minister. Although he served in several Presbyterian denominations perhaps his most important contribution to church history was his role in setting up the organisation which eventually became the Reformed Presbyterian Church. Although his stay with that religious community was relatively short he was acknowledged, by right of his valid ordination, to have the authority, along with John M'Millan, to form a legitimate presbytery and in so doing to be able to ordain others to the offices of the church.[1][2] Before Nairn's arrival M'Millan had for more than 36 years been the only minister in what was essentially a small denomination known as the United Societies.[3] Nairn had previously been a minister in the Associate Presbytery of the First Seceders, although he started and ended his days in the Church of Scotland.