MARLBOROUGH – It was a bittersweet evening as the Venerable Father Michael J. McKinnon celebrated his final Mass at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Marlborough, followed by a farewell reception at the Marlborough Country Club on Aug. 27.
McKinnon and his family are moving to Moore County, N.C., where there currently isn’t an Anglican Church presence.
“We have no building, no money, and are starting from scratch. But the best stuff is always made from scratch,” McKinnon said with a chuckle.
A new challenge for McKinnon
McKinnon has been working in Marlborough for the past 18 years.
Always wanting to be in the French Hill neighborhood, he started in a small house church off Union Avenue until they were able to purchase the former St. Ann Catholic Church in 2014.
“My intention had been to retire here [Marlborough] unless God placed a clear path for me,” McKinnon said.
A a new path became clear when the bishop approached him about starting an Anglican Church in North Carolina.
McKinnon readily accepted the challenge.
“I will share the good news of our Lord and make connections any way I can,” he said.
While the McKinnons have found their home and will be able to move in, finding a place to worship hasn’t been easy.
McKinnon has put the word out through the local churches in Moore County, but he will begin canvassing schools, service clubs, fire halls and the like to find a place to celebrate his first Mass on Sept. 18.
As part of his plan to become connected with his new community, McKinnon plans to join the Rotary and maybe the local chamber of commerce.
After serving as the chaplain for the Marlborough Fire Department for 12 years, McKinnon plans to look into similar service in addition to volunteering at a hospital and offering his services to the funeral homes. There is a private Christian School nearby who has already contacted him about teaching a Christian Literature course twice a week.
McKinnon said that a friend of his, Chaplain Dan Hardin, is stationed at Fort Jackson, S.C., but comes home to Moore County on weekends.
“When he and his wife and daughter join my wife and daughter and I, we will have already doubled the congregation size,” McKinnon said.
French Hill reflects on McKinnon’s work
The French Hill community will especially miss McKinnon, who has been a force for helping the homeless and those in need during his time here.
“I have never personally seen a religious leader of any faith be guided [by the two greatest commandments] in all his endeavors as he does. He has reached out to the community and asked questions, and then helped out,” said Rotary President Mark Vital.
Holy Trinity has hosted free meals every Saturday through June’s Table, offered a free Thanksgiving Dinner to those in need and collected and distributed winter clothing and groceries. The church has also provided a free summer lunch program for the children of the neighborhood and maintained an outreach ministry in the local recovery houses.
As a founding member of the Greater Marlborough Coalition Against Homelessness and Hunger, McKinnon had hoped to eventually see a women’s shelter in the city.
“Once I started getting to know Father Mike, it felt good being any little part of something he touched,” said Jeff Nelson, who is a recovery counselor that has volunteered with June’s Table.
During the farewell reception, Diocesan Bishop Charles Masters spoke via Zoom, recognizing McKinnon for all he has done in Marlborough.
“We thank you for the qualities you have demonstrated,” Masters said. “You are a faithful man of God, you love the Lord Jesus, and love the Word of God. You know what it is to be a servant, and assist anyone, anywhere. We are well aware of what God has done through you in these eighteen years. You leave a well-established community that is biblically grounded, a gospel-sharing church. Thank you.”
New leader at Holy Trinity Anglican Church
Replacing McKinnon will also not be happening immediately.
In the near future, Father Shawn Fowler, who is currently an assistant, will be the Priest-in-charge Pro tem.
Fowler will continue to live in Connecticut and commute to Marlborough, but he is a familiar face to the parishioners. However, there will be a search for a new rector in the future.
“Ironically, people keep asking me if I will come back for their funeral,” McKinnon said. “I tell them I hope to see them before then. After all, all roads north go through Marlborough, and Maine is my favorite place.”
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