The people of Balmaghie were very strong Covenanters, witnessed by the fact that they protected the Reverend John McMillan (perhaps the most well-known of Balmaghie’s ministers) when he was deposed by the Presbytery in 1703. Covenanters were those who opposed the interference by the Stuart kings in the affairs of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. They were famously persecuted for their fervent opposition. There are three Covenanting Martyrs buried in the Churchyard. Their graves are still visible today.
The Churchyard is also the resting place of Samuel Rutherford Crockett, the famous novelist and a native of the Parish. He is well-known locally for books such as “The Raiders” and “Raiderland”. His books have been recently republished by Galloway Raiders
The above mentioned John McMillan became minister in 1701 and was deposed for doctrinal reasons in 1703. In defiance of the Presbytery and the law and with the enthusiastic support of the great majority of the parishioners, he preached, occupying the church and manse until 1727. He left to join the United Societies which later became the Reformed Presbyterian Church. St Ringans Church in Castle Douglas (now Church of Scotland) was originally a Reformed Presbyterian Church.
The Rev. H.M.B. Reid, who wrote “The Kirk Above Dee Water”, a history of Balmaghie Parish, was Minister from 1882 until his appointment as Professor of Divinity at Glasgow University. He wrote several books including “A Cameronian Apostle”, the story of the above Rev. John McMillan. When Professor Reid died in 1928, he was buried, as he wished, in Balmaghie.
The last minister to occupy the manse was the Rev. W. Mowatt 1904-1949, who ministered through two World Wars. He was involved in the erection of the First World War Memorial on the exterior wall of the church. This has been beautifully restored by monumental stonemasons Douglas Swan of Kirkcudbright
Dumfries & Galloway Family History Society have recently recorded and published a list of all the memorial inscriptions in the graveyards at Balmaghie Kirk and are available to buy, in booklet or pdf format, at https://dgfhs.org.uk/