The Rev Mark McConnell has been appointed as new rector for the Parish of Ballymena and Ballyclug. A native of Lisburn, Mark worked for the Civil Service before studying theology at Oak Hill Church of England Training College in north London and has been Church of Ireland rector of the Parish of Ballynure and Ballyeaston, before taking up the post as new rector for the parish of Ballymena and Ballyclug.
New rector for the parish of Ballymena and Ballyclug, Rev Mark McConnell.
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.
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.
A date for the institution will be annouced in due course.
You can keep up to date with news about Rev Mark McConnell, the new rector for the parish of Ballymena and Ballyclug, and events around the Parish, on the church’s Facebook page here.