LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — The Market Street Presbyterian Church celebrated Scottish heritage Sunday morning with a Kirkin' O' the Tartan service, blending faith with family tradition.
The sounds of bagpipes filled the church as around 20 different Scottish clans were represented through their tartans. A tartan is a cloth with a distinct colorful pattern that signifies a specific Scottish clan. The tradition dates back to a time when Scotland was under British rule, and wearing clan tartans was forbidden. Families would secretly bring small pieces of their tartan to church, where each clan received a blessing—much like the service held Sunday.
“Our family history matters, our heritage matters, and our faith goes back, not just right now, but our faith goes back centuries, and we need to stay connected to the things from the past. And it's just an opportunity for people to remember their faith and how we got here, from the from the faith of our fathers and what they did,” said Dottie Kaiser, pastor of Market Street Presbyterian Church.
The church hosts a Kirkin' O' the Tartan service every two to three years.
