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Memorials to George Leslie Mackay
Mackay came to Taiwan in 1871 as a member of the Canadian Missionary Society. He worked first in Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan, which at that time already had a relatively well-developed Presbyterian Church organization. After learning elementary Taiwanese, he moved north to Tamshui (Danshuei) in 1872 where he preached the gospel to local residents. Although there was considerable resistance to his efforts, Mackay gathered a sufficient number of disciples to establish the Tamshui (Danshui) Church, the first church in northern Taiwan. Mackay also worked to improve education and health among the local population. He established a number of important institutions that are still in existence today. These include the Mackay Hospital and the Tamshui (Danshui) Girl's School, the first school for girls in Taiwan. In 1878, Mackay married a local woman and settled in Taiwan, which was to be his home for the rest of his life. He died in Taiwan in June 1901. Although he was buried in a cemetery designated for foreigners, his grave is separated from the main body of the cemetery by a wall in order to indicate his special status as an honorary Taiwanese. The gravesite has been preserved as a historical site. A number of Mackay's family and close disciples were also buried in the area. Mackay's grave can be picked out by its larger size and its distinctive candlestick design. An octagon tower combines Byzantine architectural elements with a Chinese pagoda in a most unusual structure. The tower is constructed primarily of local materials and its alternate layers of red and white brickwork make it a distinctive landmark. Here are some interesting articles to read:
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George
Leslie Mackay was a Canadian missionary well known and remembered in Taiwan
for his good work in the fields of religion, education, and medicine.
He was born in 1844 in Oxford, Ontario, of a Scottish immigrant family.