Mass at Saint Ninian's Cave, Whithorn
September 1953

The Diocese of Galloway marks the founding of Christianity in Scotland by celebrating Mass annually at the Cave of Saint Ninian in Whithorn where the Saint landed about four hundred years after the birth of Christ. Although there were pilgrimages in the preceeding years, Mass was celebrated at the Cave for the first time in September 1953 by Bishop Joseph McGee. The altar stood in front of a large banner of Saint Ninian. Canon McQuillan of Saint Meddan's Church in Troon told the story of Saint Ninian to what was estimated to be the largest pilgrimage since the 1939-45 war. Over fifty buses and several private cars conveyed more than two thousand pilgrims. The organisation was done by the Saint Vincent de Paul Society.

People in the photograph with connections to Saint Peter's include parishioners James McGrattan and Leo Walsh on the right and Tom Finn, former Head Teacher of Saint Andrew's Academy, Saltcoats on the left.