About Our Lady of Fatima · New London, New Hampshire
Our Lady of Fatima Parish is a Roman Catholic community in New London, New Hampshire, in the Diocese of Manchester, formally established in October 1952 by Bishop Matthew F. Brady. The parish worships at its main church on Main Street (NH Route 114) and operates a mission church, Immaculate Conception, in nearby Andover. Today the parish covers sixteen towns, with membership that swells each summer as seasonal residents and visitors arrive in the Lake Sunapee region. The parish is currently led by its eighth pastor, Father Donald Clinton, who was installed on November 13, 2021.
- Established
- 1952
- Patron
- Our Lady of Fatima
- Rector
- Rev. Donald Clinton
- Diocese
- Diocese of Manchester
Why belong here
Our Lady of Fatima is a warm, welcoming Catholic community that serves a sixteen-town area in the Lake Sunapee region, offering both daily and weekend Mass in New London and a Sunday Mass at Immaculate Conception mission church in Andover. The parish runs a robust slate of ministries — faith formation for adults, youth, and children, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), music, lectors, altar servers, hospitality, plus outreach groups like the Martha Ministry, Loaves and Fishes, and Crafters, and devotional groups such as the Men of St. Joseph, the Rosary, and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. New families are increasingly moving into the area, and a lively calendar of traditions — the parish picnic, Holiday Craft Fair, White Elephant Sale, Men's Club Communion Breakfast, and Fourth of July strawberry shortcake — reflects the parish's deep roots in the local community.
Mass times at Our Lady of Fatima
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 – 4:45 PM (Our Lady of Fatima)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (listed under Prayer & Devotions — contact parish office for schedule)
Parish Mission & Identity
Our Lady of Fatima and Immaculate Conception Parish is a Catholic faith community called by God to holiness. According to the parish's own mission statement, this 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 other resources in a spirit of service, based on the Baptismal commitment, founded on the Word of God, and celebrated in sacramental life, especially Eucharist.
History of the Parish
Catholic life in the New London area began in the early 1900s with Mass in private homes, in a tent on Lake Sunapee, and at a storefront on Main Street. In 1936 the community was established as a mission of St. Helena's in Enfield; in October 1952 Bishop Matthew F. Brady formally established Our Lady of Fatima as a parish, and Immaculate Conception in Andover was dedicated that December. The present church in New London was completed in December 1966 and was substantially renovated in 1997. Today the parish covers sixteen towns, draws summer visitors from across the region, and is served by its eighth pastor, Father Donald Clinton.
- 1930 – Joseph Bourgeau builds the structure on Main St. (front as ice cream/candy store, back as Mass chapel)
- 1936 – Established as a mission of St. Helena's, Enfield
- October 1952 – Formally established as a parish by Bishop Matthew F. Brady
- December 14, 1952 – Immaculate Conception Church (Andover) dedicated as a mission
- 1955 – Parish purchases land for the present church and rectory
- December 15, 1966 – New church in New London completed and entered with the Blessed Sacrament
- 1997 – Major renovation; Mass held at Kearsarge Middle School auditorium during construction
- 2002 – Death of Father Richard Lower; stained glass window over the choir dedicated in his memory
- 2002 – Gregory McGinn welcomed as the parish's first permanent deacon
- November 13, 2021 – Father Donald Clinton installed as eighth pastor
Immaculate Conception Mission Church (Andover)
Immaculate Conception, located at 12 Church Lane in Andover, has been a mission of Our Lady of Fatima since its dedication on December 14, 1952. It is one of two worship sites of the parish, offering an 8:30 AM Sunday Mass to parishioners in the western part of the sixteen-town area. The mission is famous in the parish for its rummage sales and spaghetti suppers, longstanding traditions that bring the community together. The Diocese of Manchester directory notes that Holy Days at Immaculate Conception are celebrated at 5:30 PM.
- Address: 12 Church Lane, Andover, NH 03257
- Sunday Mass: 8:30 AM
- Holy Day Mass: 5:30 PM
- Famous for annual rummage sales and spaghetti suppers
Staff & Clergy
Father Donald Clinton was installed as the eighth pastor of Our Lady of Fatima on November 13, 2021. Before coming to New London, he served as pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Epping, NH for eight years, and previously was pastor of St. Bernard Parish in Keene. The parish is also served by its first permanent deacon, Gregory R. McGinn, welcomed in 2002, who assists in liturgical celebrations, preaches monthly, and officiates at baptisms, marriages, and burials. Jessica Kelley serves as Director of Faith Formation.
- Rev. Donald Clinton — Pastor ([email protected])
- Deacon Gregory R. McGinn — Permanent Deacon ([email protected])
- Jessica Kelley — Director of Faith Formation ([email protected])
Pastoral Council & Parish Committees
The Parish Pastoral Council is a consultative body to the pastor, composed of parishioners who represent the parish and share in the pastoral ministry of the Church by fostering the spiritual and administrative well-being of the community. The Council meets every other month in the parish library, usually on the third Tuesday of the month, July through May, and parishioners are invited to attend and participate. Minutes are posted online and in the vestibule of the parish churches.
- Pastoral Council
- Finance Committee
- Christian Formation Committee
- Communications Committee
- Building and Grounds Committee
- Liturgy Committee
- Steering Committee (standing committee of the Council)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The goal of Christian formation at Our Lady of Fatima is to form, as well as inform, all members of the parish community concerning the Good News of Jesus Christ, and to form missionary disciples who put faith into action. The parish now runs a new Spiritual Faith Formation program that allows both parents and children to grow in faith together, and offers programs for adults, youth, and children. The Christian Formation Committee oversees sacramental preparation for children, the OCIA program, and the selection and training of catechists, working in four dimensions of formation: spiritual, intellectual, pastoral, and human.
- Adult Faith Formation
- Youth Program
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) / RCIA
- Sacramental preparation for children
- Catechist selection and training
- Director: Jessica Kelley ([email protected], 603-526-4484)
Liturgical Ministries
The parish invites parishioners to serve in a variety of liturgical roles at both Our Lady of Fatima and Immaculate Conception. These ministries are essential to the prayer and worship life of the community.
- Music Ministers
- Altar Servers
- Hospitality Ministers
- Lectors
Outreach & Service Groups
Beyond the sanctuary, Our Lady of Fatima parishioners live their faith through a number of outreach and service groups that care for neighbors near and far, while also building community among the volunteers themselves.
- Crafters
- Martha Ministry
- Loaves and Fishes
Prayer & Devotions
The parish supports a rich devotional life beyond the Sunday Mass schedule, with regular opportunities for Scripture study, Marian prayer, men's fellowship, and Eucharistic adoration. The Men of St. Joseph and the Preparing for Sunday Scripture Groups are long-standing fixtures; the Rosary and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament are listed among the parish's regular devotions.
- Men of St. Joseph
- Preparing for Sunday Scripture Groups
- Rosary
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Sacraments
Our Lady of Fatima celebrates all seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Sacramental preparation for children is coordinated through the Christian Formation Committee and the Director of Faith Formation. The parish website lists dedicated pages for Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony, and Holy Orders.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Holy Eucharist (First Communion)
- Reconciliation (Confession) — Saturday 4:00–4:45 PM or by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick
- Matrimony
- Holy Orders
Visit — Directions & Contact
Our Lady of Fatima Church is located on New Hampshire Route 114 (Main Street) in New London. From the south or east, the church, rectory, and parish offices are on the left side of Route 114, half a mile north of the junction of NH Routes 11 and 114. From the west or north, follow Main Street past Colby-Sawyer College on the left for half a mile to the rectory and church at 724 Main Street on the right. The church is not readily visible until you are directly in front of it.
- Address: 724 Main Street, New London, NH 03257-7821
- Phone: (603) 526-4484
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.olfic.org
- Immaculate Conception: 12 Church Lane, Andover, NH 03257
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Walter C. Blankenship1952–1957
First pastor; oversaw early planning, fundraising, and purchase of the land for the present church and rectory in 1955. The marble altar is dedicated in his memory.
- Rev. David Hutchinson1957–1961
Second pastor; oversaw continued growth and the need for five Sunday Masses in summer.
- Rev. Roland O. Blais1961–~late 1960s/70s
Third pastor; grew the parish to 350+ year-round families. Celebrated the groundbreaking (Oct 3, 1965) and completion of the new church (Dec 15, 1966). Remembered for a special Mass for the blessing of skis.
- 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 church modifications and an extensive rectory renovation. Known for his sense of humor.
- Rev. Richard Lower1991–2002
Led the parish to 800 families. Oversaw the major 1997 church renovation. Died tragically in December 2002; the stained glass window over the choir is the parish's memorial to him.
- Rev. Robert Biron2003–~2021
Arrived June 2003 with an enormous library. Renowned for the learning and wit of his homilies, especially at daily Mass and funerals.
- Rev. Donald Clinton2021–present
Eighth pastor, installed November 13, 2021. Previously pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Epping, NH for eight years. Has overseen major building and grounds projects and a new Spiritual Faith Formation program.