These are the first Colours of the 91st Canadian Highlanders which originated in Hamilton on 1 September 1903 and is now designated the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's). The Colours were lodged for perpetual safekeeping in St. Paul's Presbyterian Church when the regiment was presented with new Colours on the occasion of its 25th anniversary in October 1928.
For 45 years they hung in the chancel, until deterioration made it necessary to remove them from the Colour pikes. They were restored, mounted in cases, and in 1977 were rededicated to the glory of God, in the name of all who honour him and cherish freedom.
St. Paul's Presbyterian Church was the Regimental Church of the 91st Canadian Highlanders from 1903 – 1931. At the turn of the 20th century, a number of Hamilton’s Scottish-Canadian organizations organized politically for the establishment of a kilted regiment as a visible symbol of Scottish culture. The movement’s leading figures were Presbyterians. The 91st Canadian Highlanders were gazetted on 16 September 1903 and Reverend Neil McPherson, minister of St. Paul’s Presbyterian became the chaplain of the new Regiment. One of the founders of the regiment and its first Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel William Alexander Logie, was a leading member of the congregation. Reverend McPherson was succeeded as chaplain by Reverend Doctor Daniel R. Drummond (1868–1931) on 2 October 1905 and St. Paul’s continued as the Regimental Church.
On 12 October 1931, the regiment had a new chaplain, Dr. William Barclay. After 28 memorable years at St. Paul’s, the regiment acquired a new regimental church and chaplain, and its direct association with St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church ended.
