The Reverend David Malloch was born around 1824 to David Malloch and Margaret Ellis in Lanark. He lost his father as a child and was working for a living by the age of ten. The 1841 census finds David and his mother working at New Lanark Industrial Village and living at Caithness Row there (pictured below). David was described as a "cotton carder" and his mother as a "reeler".
However, by studying hard after work each day, David was able to secure a position as a teacher at Glasgow High School in 1845. And in the same year, he married Christina Orr who had also been living and working at New Lanark, as a cotton reeler. By the following year, David had his own small school - West Muir - in the Parkhead area of Glasgow. At the time of the 1851 census, the Mallochs were living near the school with their 5-year-old son William. Soon afterwards, David decided to "go in for the ministry" and entered Glasgow University to study towards this ambition. Upon completion of his studies he was appointed as a missionary in St. Michael's U.P. Church in Greenock (1 July 1896 Dundee Courier).
However, by studying hard after work each day, David was able to secure a position as a teacher at Glasgow High School in 1845. And in the same year, he married Christina Orr who had also been living and working at New Lanark, as a cotton reeler. By the following year, David had his own small school - West Muir - in the Parkhead area of Glasgow. At the time of the 1851 census, the Mallochs were living near the school with their 5-year-old son William. Soon afterwards, David decided to "go in for the ministry" and entered Glasgow University to study towards this ambition. Upon completion of his studies he was appointed as a missionary in St. Michael's U.P. Church in Greenock (1 July 1896 Dundee Courier).
Following his time in Greenock and a spell "supplying pulpits" in Ireland, David received the call late in 1859 to the U.P. Church at Largo. The snippet below from the Fife Herald of 9 Feb 1860 details the process leading up to David's ordination at Largo on 13 March. At that time the church was £400 in debt so David "at once entered into the task of wiping this off". He was so well supported in this aim that it was achieved in under twelve months. The Courier of 1 July 1896 continues his story stating that...
"In the thirteenth year of his ministry, Mr Malloch had the pleasure of seeing the handsome church the U.P. congregation now worship in opened."
At a cost of £1,200 the new church replaced its century-old predecessor that had been built with the help of local people who had carried stone from the beach in barrows, creels and aprons. The stone plaque built into the front elevation bears the year of construction (1871) and the initials of David Malloch (D.M.) - see below.
"In the thirteenth year of his ministry, Mr Malloch had the pleasure of seeing the handsome church the U.P. congregation now worship in opened."
At a cost of £1,200 the new church replaced its century-old predecessor that had been built with the help of local people who had carried stone from the beach in barrows, creels and aprons. The stone plaque built into the front elevation bears the year of construction (1871) and the initials of David Malloch (D.M.) - see below.
Rev. Malloch must have seen many things during his thirty six years as pastor at Largo, overseeing hundreds of christenings, marriages and funerals and witnessing many community events - both celebratory and tragic. In 1886, when the boat "The Brothers" was lost, along with seven local men, Rev. Malloch opened a subscription list and succeeded in raising £500 for the benefit of bereaved widows and families.
David Malloch's last significant public appearance was at the opening of the Lundin Golf Club House on 4 April 1896 "when he led off the refrain 'He's a Jolly Good Fellow' when Mr Gilmour's health was proposed". He preached his last sermon on 3 May 1896 and died on 29 June at the manse. He was survived by his wife, three sons and one daughter (although the Mallochs had at least seven children in total).
The St Andrews Citizen on 4 July described his "genial buoyant spirits" and the fact that he was "conspicuous throughout the parish by his locks and shaven face, which seemed to savour more of art than the pulpit". Also noted was that "he never conducted a service in his church without remembering in his prayers those who went out into the deep in ships" - making him a "special favourite" of the fisher folk.
A wall plaque was placed on the wall inside the church to his memory which read:
"For 36 years (he) went out and in among them, speaking words in season to the weary and comforting the afflicted, while his Christian qualities and generous sympathies won for him the esteem and reverence of his flock and of all who knew him."
David Malloch's last significant public appearance was at the opening of the Lundin Golf Club House on 4 April 1896 "when he led off the refrain 'He's a Jolly Good Fellow' when Mr Gilmour's health was proposed". He preached his last sermon on 3 May 1896 and died on 29 June at the manse. He was survived by his wife, three sons and one daughter (although the Mallochs had at least seven children in total).
The St Andrews Citizen on 4 July described his "genial buoyant spirits" and the fact that he was "conspicuous throughout the parish by his locks and shaven face, which seemed to savour more of art than the pulpit". Also noted was that "he never conducted a service in his church without remembering in his prayers those who went out into the deep in ships" - making him a "special favourite" of the fisher folk.
A wall plaque was placed on the wall inside the church to his memory which read:
"For 36 years (he) went out and in among them, speaking words in season to the weary and comforting the afflicted, while his Christian qualities and generous sympathies won for him the esteem and reverence of his flock and of all who knew him."
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