Tom Allan (minister)
| Thomas (Tom) Allan | |
|---|---|
| Religion | Christian |
| Denomination | Church of Scotland |
| Church |
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| Alma mater | Glasgow University |
| Personal | |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Born | 1916 |
| Died | 1965 |
| Religious career | |
| Post |
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Thomas (Tom) Allan (1916-1965) was a minister and evangelist of the Church of Scotland, broadcaster, author, columnist and pioneer of practical church outreach in social work, primarily in the city of Glasgow. His notable achievements were recognised with one of the city’s highest honours, the St Mungo Medal and Prize in 1964.
Tom Allan always cherished his Ayrshire roots. Born in Newmilns, he benefited from the rich music and singing traditions of the valleys and participation in the life of the local church. He also there met Jean Dunn from the same community and school. They were married in 1941. Allan completed a First Class Honours in English at Glasgow University in 1938.
When the Second World War began Allan left his exempted divinity studies and volunteered for service in the Royal Air Force. Eyesight faults prevented flying. He was sent for officer training and on to Intelligence work. 1945 saw him at Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force in Reims and Frankfurt.
War experience struck at the youthful faith of home and led him to agnosticism and doubt. That was changed forever by an experience at an Easter Day service in Reims. Amid the ruins and devastation of war an African American soldier rose to sing the solo Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Unexpectedly this proved to be the turning point, the conversion, of Allan's whole life. Now his future was set.
He returned to home and family, to an intense year of study at the Department of Divinity in Glasgow University, winning the prize in New Testament studies and graduating M.A. in 1946. During this period as a mature student, he began a lengthy association with the Church of Scotland evangelist, D.P. Thomson, becoming a leader at the Seaside Missions Thomson organized after the war.
Tom Allan was called to his first parish of Glasgow's North Kelvinside in 1946, an inner city area of mainly tenement buildings housing 10,000 people. Congregational membership increased from 487 to 611 in his first year.
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