Clergy & Staff

A warm welcome to Fr. Ian Montgomery, interim clergy for both Zion Church and St. John's Chapel.

 

A bit about Fr. Ian Montgomery and his connection with our parish:

 

Originally from London where he grew up, Fr. Ian went to school in the West Country and to college in Scotland. After becoming a Chartered Accountant, he went to seminary in 1971 and was at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford. During that time he spent a year as an intern in the Diocese of Western Massachusetts. There, in 1973, he met Polly. They were married in 1976 and have two married children - Joe and Kath and the latter has recently given them the joy of a granddaughter, Mira.

 

Fr. Ian was ordained in London (deacon 1975 and priest 1976). He was then invited to immigrate to the USA and serve in Western Mass in 1978. Ian was a university chaplain and later went on to serve as a rector in New Orleans, Nashville and Wisconsin. Fr. Ian retired in early 2009 and he and Polly became missionaries in Peru. They served as Peruvian missionaries full time until 2013 and Fr. Ian has served in Peru part time since then. Polly and Ian live in Chester, VT having decided in 2004 that they wanted to return to Vermont where Polly's family had had a home. They are currently fixing up an old house in the stone village. Since it is not possible to travel to Peru currently, they are delighted to have a project to fill their time.

 

“I have, these recent years, visited Zion and often acted as supply clergy for John (Mitchell-retired Rector). I have known John since the late seventies and it has always been a joy to attend and supply both at Zion and St. John's. Both Church and Chapel have been wonderfully supportive of our ministry in Peru. Thank you. What a joy it is to serve you again, and an honor to follow as supply clergy, where John has so faithfully served you as your rector over these last twenty-five years. I wish him well in his retirement.” ~ Fr. Ian Montgomery

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