New Rector is instituted at St. Patrick's

Rev Mark McConnell has been instituted Rector of the Parish of Ballymena and Ballyclug at a special service in St Patrick's Parish Church, Castle Street.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Jun 2016, 09:38 BST
Updated 6th Jun 2016, 10:42 BST
The Ven Stephen Forde, Archdeacon of Dalriada, Rev Mark McConnell, the Rev David Ferguson, Bishop of Connor the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy, Rev John McClure and Rev Canon William Taggart, Connor Registrar. (Submitted Picture).The Ven Stephen Forde, Archdeacon of Dalriada, Rev Mark McConnell, the Rev David Ferguson, Bishop of Connor the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy, Rev John McClure and Rev Canon William Taggart, Connor Registrar. (Submitted Picture).
The Ven Stephen Forde, Archdeacon of Dalriada, Rev Mark McConnell, the Rev David Ferguson, Bishop of Connor the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy, Rev John McClure and Rev Canon William Taggart, Connor Registrar. (Submitted Picture).

Rev McConnell was rector of the Parish of Ballynure and Ballyeaston when his appointment to Ballymena was announced in February.

A native of Lisburn, Mark worked for the Civil Service before studying theology at Oak Hill Church of England Training College in north London. He was employed for a year as a church worker in the parish of St James’ in Muswell Hill, and after his ordination he served a three year curacy in Christ Church Parish, Bedford, returning to Northern Ireland to serve a second curacy in Bangor Parish Church, Co Down.

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Mark’s first incumbency was as rector in Killyleagh, Co Down, and he was appointed rector of Ballynure and Ballyeaston in 1999. He is married to Cherith and the couple has three children, Daniel, Matthew and Erin.

Mark succeeds the Rev Canon Stuart Lloyd who retired from the Parish of Ballymena and Ballyclug last November after some 27 years’ service.

Related topics:Ballymena