The Rev. Richard T. Loring, Interim Priest

The Rev. Richard Loring is a third-generation priest in his family (both grandfathers, father, uncle and brother). Originally heading for medicine, with his B.A. (Harvard) in biochemical sciences, he found that the sciences were not answering the questions raised by his father's death at age 48, when Fr. Loring was only 18. Three years in the Army (Chemical Corps) solidified his belief that he was called to the priesthood. During his years (1954-57) at General Seminary, NYC, he also considered a possible call to the monastic life. Ordained priest in January 1958, he served as assistant at All Saints' , Dorchester; at St. John's, Locust Valley, NY; and at Grace Church, Elmira, NY; and as Rector of St. Luke's, Chelsea MA 1968-1995, when he retired. From 1983-1990, he was also administrator of the General Ordination Examinations for the Episcopal Church nationally. He holds an earned D. Th. in Old Testament and loves the Scriptures. He has held sundry diocesan committee posts including two terms on the Standing Committee.

Fr. Loring was the eldest of three brothers; Christopher, a professional cellist (Quebec Symphony), died of cancer in 1997; Timothy, a Deacon, died in 1967. His mother, Helen (Dexter) was a widow for 53 years, dying in 2001 at age 98. She was active in diocesan and national church and altar guild circles, and created vestments and embroideries for most of her life. Fr. Loring has never married; his next of kin are twins, a niece Chloe, in Florida; and a nephew, Alex, in Vermont.

Since retirement in 1995, Fr. Loring has been fully occupied with Sunday supply work, and interim work in churches seeking rectors; Westford will be his twelfth such position. He is still involved in a couple of diocesan committees.

He is a handy, "fixit" type and has additional interests in foraging for food in the wild, and making jams and jellies.