Wilson Chapel’s 100th Year: Rev. Garvey MacLean on Aug. 27

Tue, 08/22/2017 - 8:00am

    The Rev. Garvey F. MacLean will lead the service at the Wilson Memorial Chapel on Ocean Point this Sunday, Aug. 27. Returning to the chapel this Sunday will be the popular Maine Celtic duo, Castlebay. The service is at 9:30 a.m. All are welcome.This year the chapel celebrates its 100th year.

    In 1961, after graduating from Boston University School of Theology, Rev. MacLean was ordained to ministry in the United Church of Christ. He served pastorates in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, and Presque Isle, Maine. In 1969, he was invited to return to Bates College as an assistant professor of religion and to be the first chaplain.

    In 1972, a student invited Rev. Garvey to work with her on a senior thesis project for the Theatre Department: a production of Archibald MacLeish’s J.B. Over the next five years, Garvey became deeply involved in 24 plays—acting or directing. His involvement peaked in 1976 when he was asked to manage the Bates Summer Theater.

    Garvey was moved to reaffirm his call to parish ministry after fulfilling an assignment to lead worship at the 1976 annual meeting of the Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ. He left Bates College to serve parishes in Portland, Maine, and Glencoe, Illinois. He also continued his involvement with theater arts in parishes and communities of Portland, Glencoe, and also Evanston, Illinois.

    Garvey and his wife Nancy retired to Scarborough, Maine, in 2000. They are the parents of six children and grandparents of five grandchildren.