Duanesburg Church welcomes rector from Ireland

Father Alistair J. Morrison will be instituted as the 40th rector of historic Christ Episcopal Church in Duanesburg by the Right Reverend William Love, bishop of the Albany Episcopal Diocese, at a special service to be held on Sunday, Dec. 3, at 4 p.m. at the church.

Until February 2016, when he emigrated to the United States, Morrison was a priest assigned as a curate assistant in Ballyholme Parish in Bangor, Northern Ireland.

In April 2016, he and Mother Laurie Garramone were married at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Johnstown, New York where she is currently the rector.

Prior to his ordination as priest, Morrison worked for many years as an architect, focusing on architectural conservation.

He also has an interest in men’s ministry and in 2012, his dissertation for his master’s degree in theology, “The New Masculinity Movement: A Viable Model for Engaging Men with God and Church?” was published by the Church of Ireland.

Morrison has already begun his duties at the historic church in Duanesburg, which was built in 1793 by the town’s founder, James Duane. The building is one of the oldest unaltered Episcopal churches in New York State and has remained in continual use since its construction.

Morrison has also arrived in time for the 225th anniversary of Christ Church, which will be celebrated throughout 2018 with special events and services. He is looking forward to his new assignment, indicating that his first objective is to become acquainted with not only the parishioners of Christ Church, but also the long history of the church and the entire Duanesburg community as well.

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