St. Michael’s Anglican Church in Andalusia recently welcomed Marc Vincent as its new priest.

The church, which formed late in 2013, recently moved to a new home on South Three Notch in the former Town and Country building.

“For whatever reason, a group of people with a vision formed the church,” Vincent said. “They have done very well without pastoral support. They are very, very faithful people, and want to positively impact the community.”

Vincent first came to St. Michael’s in the summer, as a supply priest. He said he very quickly felt connected with the young congregation.

While he has established a residence and works here several days a week, Vincent, who is a bi-vocational chaplain in the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) for the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), also works with hospice in Selma.

His wife, Sherry, works in Prattville, which is their primary home. They have three children and three grandchildren.

Reared a Roman Catholic, Vincent was schooled in a Baptist seminary, first ordained in the Assembly of God, and has been in nondenominational churches and the Charismatic Episcopal Church along with way. He also has done inner-city social outreach programs and pro-life work.

He first began working in hospice as a volunteer.

“It just resonated with my heart, and my spirit,” he said.

He was later hired as a chaplain and eventually became a hospice administrator.

“Frankly, I didn’t care for it,” he said of the business side.

Facing health issues of his own, he moved away from hospice.

“But I’ve come full circle,” he said.

“I believe in America, with our reliance on medicine and surgery, when we’re told nothing can be done, it is a harsh reality.”

Vincent believes his diverse religious background prepared him for the work he has done and continues to do in hospice, meeting people of many different faiths.

“I call it the point of the sphere ministry,” he said.

Vincent earned a bachelor’s degree in business from LSU, and a master’s degree from Bethany Theological Seminary. He also has done additional studies in the Owens Graduate School at Vanderbilt and at St. Michael’s Seminary.

For those unfamiliar with the Anglican church, Vincent explained that its services are most like the Episcopal Church USA. Anglicans celebrate the Eucharist, or Holy Communion, at each service. Anglicans also use a liturgy.

“Anglicanism is a historic faith,” he said. “We believe throughout history, you will find that pattern in the church. We use the historic teachings of the church. We are also very conservative.”

“Whosoever will may come,” Vincent said.

St. Michael’s holds services at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays.