LEITH, Scotland, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Rock star Rod Stewart donated more than $9,000 to the ancient Scottish church where he and Penny Lancaster took their son Alistair to be baptized.
Stewart learned of a campaign to raise more than $300,000 to refurbish the South Leith parish church in time for its 400th anniversary in 2009.
He admitted the ceremony had brought him to tears. At a reception at the Balmoral Hotel following the christening, he and Lancaster said they wanted to show their appreciation and wrote a check, The Scotsman reported.
"I was absolutely gobsmacked and delighted," said the Rev. Ian Gilmour, minister of the church. "It was an extremely generous gift and will make a huge difference to our fundraising efforts."
The donation will be used to buy custom-made curtains to divide the main church from a glass vestibule where the congregation meets for tea and coffee.
More than 200 people came to see the 7-month-old baby baptized.
Stewart, 61, reportedly chose the church when he visited Scotland in March. His father, Bob, was from Leith and moved to London before the singer was born.
