Incorporated in June of 1945 by Robert J. Maclellan, his son Robert L. Maclellan, and his sister Dora Maclellan Brown, the Maclellan Foundation has served the evangelical and Chattanooga communities for over sixty years.  Born to Thomas and Helen Jardine Maclellan in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada, Robert (b. March 26, 1874) and Dora (b. 1880) followed their parents to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where their father took a job with Provident Life and Accident Insurance in 1892.  Although both children eventually served Provident in some capacity, Robert spent his first twelve years of business experience with the U.S. Engineers on a Tennessee River project, as an accountant for Citizens Bank and Trust, Co., and as a cashier for the Richmond Cotton Oil Co., before joining his father at Provident in 1905.  Shortly after joining Provident, Robert married Cora Llewellyn, the daughter of a prominent Chattanooga manufacturer, on November 22, 1905.  Robert and Cora had three children: Robert Llewellyn (Bob), Hugh Owen, and Helen (Maclellan) Tipton.  When Thomas died in 1916, Robert succeeded his father as president of Provident, and under Robert’s direction, the company grew from $350,000 in assets, working in 3 states, to $120 million, working nationwide.  Robert stepped down from the presidency in 1952 to serve as chairman of the board, and was succeeded by his son Bob.  In addition to his work at Provident, Robert served the Chattanooga community through his involvement in Second Presbyterian Church, and numerous other civic and philanthropic organizations.

Dora also assisted her father in the early years of the company and signed some of the early policies issued by Provident in her position as secretary.  Married late in life to B. G. Brown of the insurance and real estate firm of C.V. Brown and Brothers, Dora was extremely active in philanthropy and in her church, Second Presbyterian, where she taught the same group of women in the NYO (Not Your Own) class for over 50 years.

In 1945, the Maclellans formed a family foundation. Robert served as the first president of the Maclellan Foundation until his death on June 7, 1956, exactly 99 years to the day from the day his father Thomas consecrated in covenant “all that I am and all that I have, the faculties of my mind, the members of my body, my worldly possessions, my time, and my influence over others, all to be used entirely for Thy glory and resolutely employed in obedience to Thy commands.”  Following in his father’s dedication to the Kingdom, Robert left a large part of his estate to the Maclellan Foundation and to the now terminated R. J. Maclellan Charitable Trust.  His wife, Cora, followed him in death on March 23, 1957, and part of her estate went to the now terminated Cora L. Maclellan Charitable Trust.  When Dora passed away in February 1974, her estate was divided between the Maclellan Foundation and the Dora Maclellan Brown Charitable Trust, which now resides with the Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation.

Through the years, members of Robert’s family have continued to serve in management of the Foundation and on its Board of Trustees. Robert’s two sons, Robert Llewellyn (Bob) and Hugh Owen both served as presidents of the Foundation, and today his grandson, Hugh O. Maclellan, Jr. is serving in the role of president, having succeeded his father in 1994.

A letter written by Dora addressed the philosophy of the family for present and future reference, so that future trustees of the Maclellan Foundation would never lose sight of the Christian principles upon which it was founded: "The foundation of the Maclellan family has been truly Christian. It is the most valuable heritage we have to pass on to future leaders ministering under this name. …my own Christian experience has been so precious to me, I long to use my means in a way that will give this privilege to others."

The longings of Dora’s heart have been realized for more than sixty years. Each individual and every generation of the Maclellan family has possessed a significant desire to minister and use the gift of giving for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God. Regardless of their individual visions, the family has undividedly recognized the importance of appointing leadership that has fervent faith and a dedication to this mission.