Ch 1 – Compassion, Commitment and Canoes

March 9, 2026

Next year marks an important milestone in the history of The Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship – we celebrate our 175th anniversary. The founding member of the fellowship was, to put it mildly, a colourful character.

John MacGregor was born in 1825. His father was a Scottish soldier and his mother the daughter of a Baronet. John benefitted from an upbringing in a godly home and shared his parent’s strong Christian faith. That faith informed, animated, and invigorated him until his death in 1891.

His biographers report that he was not a particularly gifted academic. However, he was well-educated and gained a place at Cambridge University. Although he had aspirations for the mission-field his interests in science took him to London to study Law with an emphasis on Patent Law. In 1851 he was called to the bar, and the following year commenced the Lawyers’ Prayer Union; the name was changed to The Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship in 1950.

John’s interests extended well beyond legal practice. Along with Lord Shaftesbury, who became a close friend, he was a committed supporter of the ‘Ragged School Movement’ which, prior to the introduction of state funded education for all children, sought to promote the welfare of the most dispossessed of Victorian England.

He was fearless in his Christian witness. Aged 28 he encountered the Open Air Mission and threw himself into street preaching. His interest in science helped develop a robust apologetic, and he was never afraid to take on the secularists of his day.

In 1859 John MacGregor conducted a preaching tour in North America. Like his Saviour, he was committed to the vulnerable and marginalised. Bishop Wilberforce (son of William Wilberforce) found John MacGregor an enigma, but said of him, he would “…spend himself in preaching the gospel to the poor.” Citation

It was as a result of his travels that John became famous. In 1865 he commissioned the building of a canoe. He had learned to row while studying at Cambridge, and with a Union Jack aloft, he paddled down the Thames and into Europe. He named his canoe ‘Rob Roy’ and published a book about his travels, which quickly became a best seller. Inevitably, the nickname ‘Rob Roy MacGregor’ was coined – and stuck! Other sailing adventures followed but his cargo always included tracts, Bibles, Christian books and periodicals which he distributed wherever he went.

As his fame spread, John used lecture opportunities to raise money for charity. By March 1878 he had raised £10,000 – a huge amount in those days.

Despite these noteworthy achievements it is said of him that “he remained a humble man who was ever ready to recognise and appreciate the good that existed in others and was keenly aware of his shortcomings.”Citation

And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8)

Our founder John Rob Roy MacGregor made that verse a reality in his life. May we all follow his example.