History of the Society

The first Saint Andrew Society was organized in Charleston, South Carolina in 1729, by a group of immigrant Scots.  This organization is still in existence today and “is still a benevolent order providing funds for any widows and orphans of members who may be in a financial distress.”

The St. Andrew Society of the Carolina was founded in 1955, with Dr. Douglas Glasgow as the principal organizer. Our central location is Charlotte, NC.  Note that the Society is “of Carolina”.  A similar group founded in Pinehurst is “of North Carolina.” The Saint Andrew Societies are separate entities.  

Saint Andrew is the Patron Saint of Scotland.  According to Scottish legend, the bones of the disciple were being taken to Scotland in the fourth century by Saint Regulus.  The ship was wrecked on the shore near the present town of St. Andrews.  Thus, through tradition, St. Andrew became the Patron Saint of Scotland. 

The Society’s coat of arms includes the South Carolina motto “dum spiro spero” (while I breathe I hope) and the North Carolina motto “esse quam videre” (to be rather than to seem).