He raised the money to build the first church and manse, having obtained the land from the Hamilton family. Having known the benefits an education could bring he started the first school and on his death left money in his estate to ensure that a suitable schoolmaster could be employed.

MrJohne Davidsoun hes foundit in prestounpanis ane schole for teiching of Latin, grek and hebrew towngis and language, and for Instructing of youth in vertue and learning.

He died in 1604 not having been pardoned by the King and still confined to his parish but having established a thriving congregation that expanded with the town over the next four centuries.

Davidson was to his death admired for his personal piety and unflagging zeal as a minister yet embarrassed his fellow ministers with his frequent outbursts to the King. He was a man who would today be branded a trouble maker yet his banishment to Prestonpans was in every sense controlled by divine guidance.