St. Martin’s Episcopal Church was founded by English immigrants on July 1, 1876 making it the oldest church in the city of Fairmont. The original church building was first used for services on Sunday, October 8, 1876 and was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Henry Benjamin Whipple, the first bishop of Minnesota, on August 23, 1877. In 1970 the first St. Martin’s was razed and the present structure was built on the same property at the corner of First and Park Streets. The first services in the new church were held on Palm Sunday, April 4, 1971. The new building was formally consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Phillip F. McNairy, the sixth bishop of Minnesota, on August 23, 1977, exactly one hundred years to the day the first church building was consecrated.
The Rev. George M. Favell
The Reverend George M. Favell has received and answered a call to be the next “Priest-in-Charge” at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, located at 102 N. Park Street in Fairmont. He officially begins his ministry on December 1, the first Sunday of Advent.
Rev. Favell comes to us with over forty years of ordained ministry experience as well as missionary work in two countries (Canada and Egypt). He retired from being a teacher and Academic Dean, serving in two high schools in Los Angeles. He now lives in Albert Lea.
“I hope to be able to contribute to and build on St. Martin’s mission statement,” says Rev. Favell, “which is: ‘St. Martin’s is a reconciling, affirming, and inclusive Christian community striving through worship, love and service to welcome all people just as God created you.’ It is my hope that those in Fairmont and the surrounding communities who have yet to find a church home will give us a look!”
He goes on to say, “Many people equate religion and spirituality with feelings of guilt. Yet, even though sometimes guilt may bring us to an awareness of our need for God, only love can transform us, not more guilt! We don’t get ‘better’ by feeling worse! I often think of the verse where Jesus says, ‘The Son of Man has not come to destroy peoples’ lives, but to save them.’ That is, I believe, the good word that is needed today.”