Holy Trinity Receiving Interim Rector

The Venerable Lincoln P. Eng, former archdeacon of the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon, begins serving as interim rector for Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 1832 W. Dean, this weekend.

The size of Holy Trinity’s congregation was greatly reduced last year when the Rev. Robert Creech and several members left the church and the Episcopal denomination, said the Rt. Rev. Jeff Terry, bishop of Spokane’s Episcopal Diocese.

Terry said it’s difficult to judge how many people now attend Holy Trinity but added there is a strong core group of members who have worshiped there for 40 years along with several people who have started attending since the split.

Because of the church’s unique circumstances, there’s no telling how long it will take before another full-time minister can be found.

“The congregation of Holy Trinity is fortunate to have such an exceptional person as Father Eng,” Terry said.

On a national level, Eng has served as deputy to the general conventions of the Episcopal denomination and was a member of the executive council of the Episcopal Church, Episcopal Asiamerica Ministry and Provincial Asian and Hispanic Ministries.

He has also been an adviser for the denomination’s ministries in Mexico and Guatemala and Native American ministries in South Dakota and Alaska.

Eng’s first Masses will be at 5:30 p.m. today and 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

A parish welcoming reception will follow the Sunday Mass.

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