ELLIOTT, JAMES KENNEDY (1845-1929) was born at Belfast and educated at the Belfast Academy and Queen's College (where he graduated B.A.). Ordained in the Presbyterian ministry in 1872, he was in charge of congregations at Randalstown and Magherafelt. He married Margaret (d. 1887), daughter of Robert Dickson; and on account of her health came to New Zealand in 1884 and took charge of St James's Church, Newtown.

With the permission of the Presbytery, Elliott arranged to hold his services in the Lyceum hall, in Tory street, and his Sunday school in the Mount Cook boys' school. He was an eloquent preacher, humorous, broadly tolerant and erudite, and before long his congregation decided upon the erection of the church in Kent terrace. He accordingly resigned St James's in 1886. His personal benevolence was widespread and he served for many years as member and chairman of the Wellington benevolent trustees and of the hospital and charitable aid board. He was moderator of the North Island Assembly of the church in the year before the merger with the south, which he did much to bring about.

On a visit to Ireland in 1912 Elliott had conferred upon him by the Royal College of Belfast the honorary degree of doctor of divinity. He was one of the first governors of Scots College. He died on 5 May 1929.

General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of NZ. reports; Dickson (p); Who's Who N.Z., 1908; The Dominion, 6 May 1929 (P).

Reference: Volume 1, page 132

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