The Rev. William R. Fleming Named Rector of Mariners' Church of Detroit

DETROIT, Dec. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Mariners' Church of Detroit, a house of prayer for all people, announced today that Fr. Bill Fleming will be formally installed as Rector on Sunday, December 22, at the 11 a.m. Service.  The Rt. Rev. Royal Grote, Jr., Bishop Ordinary of the Diocese of Mid-America of the Reformed Episcopal Church (REC) will conduct the service.  The REC is a founding jurisdiction of the Anglican Church of North America.

Fr. Fleming has served as Acting Rector of Mariners' since February.  Prior to that he, spent 14 years as assisting priest and priest-in-charge at Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills.  He succeeds Fr. Richard Ingalls, Jr., who is Rector Emeritus.  Fr. Fleming will be Mariners' 18^th rector in the 172-year history of the church.

In addition to his work in the church, Fr. Fleming spent over 20 years as vice president of human resources and training at Budco, a marketing services firm in Detroit.

"Mariners' has a long and distinguished history in Detroit and I'm humbled and honored to take on the role as Rector," said Fr. Fleming.  "But as important as our history is, our future is more important.  I look forward to serving our parishioners and guests who come into the church.  Mariners' prides itself on being a house of prayer for all people.  We welcome all who enter and encourage anyone, regardless of their denomination or personal beliefs, to visit and see all that Mariners' has to offer."

Mariners' is an independent church whose members come from many denominations and backgrounds.  The church uses traditional Anglican liturgy and music in its services and prides itself in its world class 78 rank, 4100 pipe organ and chamber size professional choir that sings every Sunday at the 11 a.m. service.

Founded in 1842, Mariners' Church is the oldest structure on the Detroit riverfront and a national and state historic landmark.  The church served as an underground railroad site and was home to a post office, grocery store, bank and produce company in its early years.

"We invite everyone, especially all the new people moving into the city, to experience Mariners' for themselves," Fr. Fleming says.  "We'd like to become a permanent part of their lives and we'd like to play whatever role we can in the rebirth of Detroit."

SOURCE Mariners' Church of Detroit