Day 21
Councillor Rev. Elizabeth Wardlaw
Day 21 remembers Elizabeth Wardlaw and her huge contribution to the spirit and community of Leith.
(Photo supplied by Edinburgh City Archives, Collection reference SL134)
Elizabeth Wardlaw was born in 1928 and grew up in Corstorphine, attended Boroughmuir High School where she was Head Girl and went to Edinburgh University where she won her blue for hockey and played for East of Scotland.
In 1955 Elizabeth Wardlaw was called by Hermitage United Free Church to be their minister. So beginning a pioneering ministry of service in Leith. It was a place of tenements, bustling shops; of proud traditions, plain speaking and warm hearts.
She says of her early days,
“In the first twelve years of my ministry I felt I was being watched by others to prove that women could be ministers, could be married ministers and mothers; that women were able - no matter how strenuous, emotionally draining and pressurised the ministry was. I felt the best way to prove anything was to be the person God made me.”
She married Elliot, a teacher at Leith Academy, and they had four sons, and she combined her family commitments with full-time ministry. She was involved in many ventures which strengthened the community. There was a shortage of nursery places, so she decided to open up the church building for a playschool. She also created a ‘FISH’ Scheme to encourage people to be aware of, and help support, their neighbours. Each household had a fish which they could place in their window if they needed help. These initiatives were to encourage a strengthening of the community.
In 1982, Elizabeth was approached by two friends – one a Democrat, the other a Liberal. “They asked me to stand in the next Edinburgh District election. I agreed and was elected, by nineteen votes!”. Elizabeth Wardlaw was respected by all parties and worked exceptionally hard to serve her Leith constituents. Holding the position of councillor for Leith Links for 20 years.
In 1972, after attending a meeting in the Church of Scotland’s Assembly Hall where she heard Dr George MacLeod, (founder of the Iona Community) speak. Elizabeth was so inspired that when she came home she wrote down the vision God gave that day as a poem:
“A Dream for Leith”
I have a dream for Leith
a dream where there are pleasant homes and happy people.
They have work to do and are content.
I have a dream for the Church in Leith
which belongs to God in His service,
to serve the people of Leith,
to act as leaven in the community,
to broaden their vision
and bring in those whom God is calling.
To hear the cry of people far and near for comfort, help,
understanding, sympathy, justice and freedom.
To answer that cry sacrificially and in the love of God.
I have a dream that from this dispirited, disillusioned,
depressed area
there will arise
a community which shines with the light of God upon its life
enfolding within it -
the stranger from other lands,
the homeless,
the refugee,
the visitor in port,
the vigorous young and the honoured old.
A place where God is
and where all bear God's mark of love
Elizabeth Wardlaw passed away in 2007, and is buried with her husband in Seafield Cemetery. She is remembered on her gravestone with the words :
“Beloved wife and mother; minister of Hermitage Church, Leith Councillor; Love so amazing so divine demands my soul, my life, my all; God's true servants to the people of Leith”
Many thanks to Alistair Rutherford of South Leith Parish Church who provided much of the information contained in this post.