Father Mark A. Churchill, MM

Born: September 29, 1895
Ordained: June 19, 1927
Died: April 13, 1972

Mark A. Churchill was born in Mason City, Iowa on September 29, 1895. He was graduated from Mason City High School, spent a year at the University of Iowa and then enlisted in the National Guard before joining Maryknoll in 1920.

He was ordained on June 19, 1927 and assigned to Kongmoon. During his time in China Father Mark wrote many letters back to the Center describing life on the Chinese Mission and, being something of a poet, many of his poems appeared in the Maryknoll magazine.

He was expelled from the country by the Communists and returned to the United States in 1952. Since that time he served as Econome for the Society at Lakewood and the Venard, and was Director of the Brothers at the Venard from 1954 to 1956. He was chaplain for the Sisters of Georgian Court, N.J. from 1957 until he took up residence at St. Teresa’s in 1969.

During these last years Father Churchill had been in poor health. He died at St. Teresa’s on April 13, 1972.

A concelebrated Mass was said at Maryknoll on April 17 at which Fr. William Bergan was principal celebrant and Fr. George Gilligan preached the homily. Interment followed in God’s Acre at Maryknoll.