South African minister retraces footsteps of Campbeltown missionary

“Rev Peter Hunter is well known and highly respected in Mount Ayliff, but the history somewhere, somehow was lost,” he said. “I am here to follow in his footsteps and to trace his history.” 

Rev Hunter was educated at Dalaruan United Presbyterian School and Campbeltown Grammar School, where he excelled in subjects including Greek, French and history, before beginning work as a bank clerk.

He later studied at the University of Glasgow, graduating with an MA in 1885, and was ordained in Campbeltown in 1889 – the same year he left for South Africa.

He spent decades serving in Mount Ayliff, where he established what is now the Thomas Gillespie Memorial Presbyterian Church and became a central figure in the spread of Christianity in the area.

After retiring in 1935, he remained in South Africa until his death in 1950 and is buried in Durban – a fact Rev Pitoyi and his congregation only recently discovered, having believed he had returned to Scotland after retiring.

“We learned that he wanted to be buried in the soil of the people he lived with for so many years,” said Rev Pitoyi. 

“Because of the circumstances at the time, people in Mount Ayliff were not even aware that he had died, or that he remained in South Africa, so they never attended his funeral.”

Before leaving for his trip, Rev Pitoyi and members of his congregation travelled to Rev Hunter’s grave to hold a special memorial service, bringing with them soil and stones from Mount Ayliff.

“We laid those stones on his grave as a symbol that the work he began still continues,” Rev Pitoyi said. “It was a very emotional service – people were in tears.”

Rev Pitoyi was hosted by South Kintyre minister Reverend Steven Sass, who also happens to be from South Africa.

Rev Sass, who took up his post in 2023 after ministering in South Africa, said the connection between the two congregations came as a surprise.

“Coming from South Africa, you don’t expect to be exposed to other African influences on the west coast of Scotland,” he said. “When Thembeka sent his initial enquiries, it was very unexpected and quickly turned into an invitation to Campbeltown.”

During his stay, Rev Pitoyi explored Campbeltown’s history, guided by John Bakes of Campbeltown Heritage Centre and local historian Angus Martin, visiting the street where Rev Hunter was born and the school he attended.

“It helped me to understand his life and his background,” he said. “To walk the streets he walked – that was very special.”

Rev Sass added: “When I took Thembeka to Campbeltown Parish Church, where Rev Hunter was baptised and ordained, he was overwhelmed and it spilled over into prayer and worship. It was amazing to see.”

Travelling internationally for the first time, Rev Pitoyi said the experience had been overwhelming at times, but he praised Rev Sass for helping him adjust to life in Scotland as he prepares to visit two other congregations before returning home.

“God predestined that I should start my journey here, with Steven, because he is very kind, welcoming and patient with me,” he said. “He understands my culture and has helped prepare me for the next stage of my journey.”

The visit has sparked hopes of an ongoing relationship between Campbeltown and Mount Ayliff, which Rev Sass believes could lead to future exchanges between the two congregations.

“This is about celebrating what a local man did all those years ago,” he said, “and seeing how the fruits of his ministry are still bringing people together today.”

For Rev Pitoyi, preserving that shared history is a key motivation.

“In Africa, history is often not written down, and sometimes it disappears,” he said. “Now we know more about Rev Hunter, and I will take that back home with me.”

As part of the visit, Rev Pitoyi preached at a special service in Campbeltown Parish Church on Sunday, honouring the life and legacy of Rev Hunter.

The service was not only an appreciation of Rev Hunter’s life and work, but a celebration of the continuing connection between two communities linked by a shared history that continues to unfold  137 years later.