Oakridge United Church

Rev. Neill McRae

The Reverend Neill McRae, BA, Grad Dipl (Public Admin), MDiv, CMC

Born in England to Canadian parents, Robert Neill McRae was raised in Toronto. He attended the University of Toronto Schools and later the University of Toronto where he earned an undergraduate Arts degree.

Neill’s early church experiences were with the Presbyterian Church, which he attended regularly until late teens. Throughout his twenties Neill’s work took him to Ottawa, Edmonton and finally back to Toronto. During this time he also served as a commissioned officer in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve Infantry. Returning to regular church membership and attendance at Timothy Eaton Memorial United Church in Toronto, In his early 30’s Neill experienced a call to ministry and took up Divinity studies at Emmanuel College, the United Church seminary at the University of Toronto.  He graduated with a Master of Divinity degree and was ordained by Toronto Conference in 1977.

Neill has served pastoral charges at Fort St. James, BC, Erin, ON, Gold River, Agassiz –Rosedale and Richmond BC. For a period of time, Neill returned to the commercial world and served as Vice-President of a hospital in Ontario and later became a Consulting partner with BDO Chartered Accountants. In addition to a B.A. and an M.Div., Neill holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration from Carleton University, Ottawa, and the professional qualification of Certified Management Consultant.

He serves the community as Padre to the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Association.   He has also served on the Board of the Institute of Management Consultants of BC as Registrar and the Canadian Association of Management Consultants as an advisor on professional standards and qualifications.

Neill’s private passions include music, reading and aviation and he would like to find time for a bit of stream fishing.