Reverend George Leslie Mackay 1844-1901

Photo by Alan L Brown - August 19, 2004

Photo by Alan L Brown - August 19, 2004

Photo by Alan L Brown - August 19, 2004

Plaque Location

The County of Oxford
The Township of Zorra
In Embro, in the park on the north side of St. Andrew Street, 1 block east of County Road 6

Plaque Text

Son of Scots immigrants, Presbyterian missionary George Mackay was born near Embro, Zorra Township. In 1872 he founded the first Canadian overseas mission in Tamsui, Taiwan. An unconventional character, but sensitive to local needs, Mackay practised lay dentistry and trained local clergy. He married a Taiwanese, Tiun Chhang-Mia, and had three children. The "Black-Bearded Barbarian" worked in north Taiwan until his death, establishing 60 chapels, several schools and a hospital. In 1881, he raised funds here in Oxford County to help build Oxford College, Tamsui, which later became a university. He was also an outspoken opponent of the Canadian head tax on Chinese immigrants. An inspiration to the evangelical missions movement in Ontario, Mackay remains a national hero in Taiwan.