 His first curacy was served in the Parish of Ballywillan (Portrush) in the Diocese of Connor.He later served as vicar of Moville, followed by a tenure as rector of Christ Church, Londonderry from 1982 to 1986.Returning to Connor diocese, he became rector of Malone from 1986 to 2002 and served as Archdeacon of Connor and Precentor of St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, from 1996 to 2002.