About Immaculate Conception Mission · Andover, New Hampshire
Immaculate Conception is a Catholic mission church in the village of Potter Place in Andover, New Hampshire, and is part of the Our Lady of Fatima Parish in New London under the Diocese of Manchester. The mission was dedicated on December 14, 1952, the same year the Bishop of Manchester established Our Lady of Fatima as a parish, and it has served the small Andover community ever since as a sister church to the parish in New London. Mass is celebrated here on Sunday mornings at 8:30 AM, with the broader parish offering additional weekend Masses, weekday Masses, reconciliation, faith formation, and a wide range of liturgical and outreach ministries.
- Established
- 1952
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception (the Blessed Virgin Mary, conceived without original sin)
- Rector
- Rev. Donald Clinton
- Diocese
- Diocese of Manchester (Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester, New Hampshire)
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception Mission offers a warm, intimate Sunday worship experience at 8:30 AM in the small village of Potter Place, with the full resources of Our Lady of Fatima Parish behind it — weekday Masses, Saturday Vigil, Reconciliation, Faith Formation for youth and adults, Eucharistic Adoration, Rosary, music ministry, and outreach groups like Loaves and Fishes and the Martha Ministry. Under the current pastor, Fr. Donald Clinton (installed 2021), and Permanent Deacon Gregory McGinn (ordained 2002), the community has launched a new Spiritual Faith Formation program for families and continues to invest in both church buildings and grounds. It's a place where a small mission congregation is rooted in the rhythms of rural New Hampshire and tied to a wider parish life across sixteen towns.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception Mission
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Every Saturday: 4:00 – 4:45 PM at Our Lady of Fatima, or by appointment
Adoration times
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is offered (per parish Calendar page); Perpetual Adoration not available at the mission per the Diocese of Manchester directory.
About Our Lady of Fatima & Immaculate Conception Parish
Our Lady of Fatima and Immaculate Conception parish is a Catholic faith community called by God to holiness. Its calling is realized in a spirit of love, unity and hospitality. As a faith community the parish seeks to deepen knowledge and love of God in Christ, contributing time, talent, and resources in a spirit of service, rooted in Baptismal commitment, founded on the Word of God, and celebrated in sacramental life — especially the Eucharist. The parish covers sixteen towns, with Mass offered at Our Lady of Fatima in New London and at Immaculate Conception Mission in the Potter Place village of Andover.
- Our Lady of Fatima Parish established by Bishop Matthew F. Brady, October 1952
- Immaculate Conception Mission dedicated December 14, 1952
- Parish Mission statement: called to holiness in love, unity, and hospitality
History
Catholic life in this corner of New Hampshire stretches back to the early 1900s, when visiting priests said Mass in private homes and summer Masses were held in a tent on Great Island in Lake Sunapee. Our Lady of Fatima became a mission of St. Helena's in Enfield in 1936 and was raised to parish status in 1952 by Bishop Brady, the same year Immaculate Conception Mission in Andover was built and dedicated. The parish grew through the decades, weathered the tragic death of Fr. Richard Lower in 2002, welcomed its first permanent deacon in 2002, and today serves sixteen towns under its eighth pastor.
- Early 1900s: visiting priests, summer Mass in a tent on Great Island
- 1930: first New London 'church' built with store in front, chapel in back
- 1936: Our Lady of Fatima established as a mission of St. Helena's, Enfield
- 1952: parish established; Immaculate Conception dedicated December 14, 1952
- 1955: land purchased for the present Our Lady of Fatima church and rectory
- 1993: structural problems detected at the New London church
- 1997: major renovation completed; Mass held in Kearsarge Middle School auditorium during work
- 2002: Deacon Gregory McGinn ordained as first permanent deacon
- December 2002: tragic death of Fr. Richard Lower
- 2003: Fr. Robert Biron arrives as pastor
- November 13, 2021: Fr. Donald Clinton installed as eighth pastor
Parish Staff
The parish is served by Pastor Fr. Donald Clinton and Permanent Deacon Gregory R. McGinn. Fr. Clinton, installed November 13, 2021, was ordained in 1990 for the Diocese of Manchester after studies at Mount St. Mary's Seminary, Emmitsburg, MD, and has served parishes in Salem, Nashua, Greenville, Wilton, Concord, Keene, Epping, Hanover, and Manchester. Deacon McGinn and his wife Allyson have been parishioners since 1987; he was ordained in 2002 with a master's in Theology from Notre Dame College in Manchester.
- Rev. Donald Clinton — Pastor ([email protected])
- Deacon Gregory R. McGinn — Permanent Deacon ([email protected])
- Parish Office: 603-526-4484 / [email protected]
- Music Director: Paul Gorman
- Contemporary Music Group leader: Jeff Russell
Visit Immaculate Conception
Immaculate Conception Church sits just south of NH Route 11 in the village of Potter Place in Andover, between the junctions of Route 11 with NH Route 4A and U.S. Route 4 West. Detailed driving directions are provided from both east and west on Route 11 via Church Lane and the New Hampshire Electrical Cooperative garage.
- From the East: 0.1 mile past US Route 4 West turn-off; left at NHEC garage; left onto Church Lane
- From the West: 0.75 miles past NH Route 4A junction; right at NHEC garage; left onto Church Lane
- Church parking is to the left at the end of Church Lane
Ministries
The parish runs a wide range of liturgical, outreach, and committee ministries spanning both Our Lady of Fatima and Immaculate Conception. Liturgical roles include Lector, Hospitality Minister, Altar Server, and Music Ministers; outreach groups include Loaves and Fishes, Martha Ministry, and Crafters; working committees include Pastoral Council, Finance, Liturgy, Building and Grounds, Communications, and Christian Formation.
- Liturgical Ministers — Lector, Hospitality Minister, Altar Server, Music Ministers
- Outreach & Service — Loaves and Fishes, Martha Ministry, Crafters
- Working Committees — Pastoral Council, Finance, Liturgy, Building and Grounds, Communications, Christian Formation
- Faith Formation — Youth Program, Adult Faith Formation
Liturgy & Music
The Liturgy Committee meets six times per year (August through May, usually on the second Monday) and plans the liturgical seasons and celebrations at both churches, including art and environment and music. The committee oversees training and scheduling for Ministers of Hospitality, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, and Altar Servers. Music Ministers include organ, piano, and guitar players; choir and cantors; and musicians and singers in the contemporary music group.
- Music Director: Paul Gorman
- Contemporary Music Group leader: Jeff Russell
- Parish Office: 603-526-4484 / [email protected]
Prayer & Devotions
Beyond Mass and Reconciliation, the parish supports a life of prayer through Eucharistic Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the Rosary, the Men of St. Joseph group, and Preparing for Sunday Scripture Groups. These devotions are listed under the parish's Prayer & Devotions section.
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
- Rosary
- Men of St. Joseph
- Preparing for Sunday Scripture Groups
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments: the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist), the Sacraments of Healing (Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick), and the Sacraments of Mission (Holy Orders, Matrimony). Deacon McGinn officiates at baptisms, marriages, and burials across the parish.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Holy Eucharist
- Reconciliation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders
- Matrimony
Faith Formation
Under Fr. Clinton, the parish has instituted a new Spiritual Faith Formation program designed to let both parents and children grow in faith together. The Faith Formation menu includes a Youth Program and Adult Faith Formation, with RCIA preparation supported by Deacon McGinn.
- Youth Program
- Adult Faith Formation
- Spiritual Faith Formation (family-based, new under Fr. Clinton)
- RCIA preparation
Giving
The parish maintains a dedicated Giving page on its website at olfic.org/giving, supporting the ongoing operation of both Our Lady of Fatima and Immaculate Conception Mission.
- Online giving available via olfic.org/giving
Calendar & LiveStream
The parish maintains an online Calendar at olfic.org/calendar and offers LiveStream and recordings of services, allowing parishioners and visitors to follow Mass and parish events remotely.
- Calendar: olfic.org/calendar
- LiveStream and recordings available via the parish website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Walter C. Blankenship1952–1957
First pastor of Our Lady of Fatima, appointed October 1952 by Bishop Matthew F. Brady. Oversaw early construction of Immaculate Conception Mission. Memorialized by the marble altar in the church.
- Rev. David Hutchinson1957–1961
Second pastor; oversaw continued growth and the planning for a new church; added five Sunday Masses during summer to serve seasonal visitors.
- Rev. Roland O. Blais1961–
Third pastor; grew year-round parish to more than 350 parishioners; remembered for the special Mass for the blessing of skis. Oversaw completion and Christmas 1966 entry of the new church.
- Rev. Edward Bracq1970s
Known for wearing his overcoat indoors during winter to save on the rectory's heat bill.
- Rev. Robert Goodwin1970s–1980s
Wrote and directed musical theatre productions; initiated many modifications to the church and an extensive renovation of the rectory; known for his sense of humor.
- Rev. Richard Lower1991–2002
Grew parish to 800 families; began beloved traditions (picnic, rummage sales, spaghetti suppers, strawberry shortcake booth). Died tragically in December 2002; memorialized by the stained glass window over the choir.
- Rev. Robert Biron2003–
Arrived June 2003; beloved for his learning, wit, and homilies at Sunday and daily Mass and at funerals.
- Rev. Donald Clinton2021–present
Eighth pastor of Our Lady of Fatima (and so of Immaculate Conception Mission); installed November 13, 2021.