Wil Darcangelo stepping back from church ministry, pledges to stay active in Fitchburg

FITCHBURG ― After 10 years of service to First Parish Church of Fitchburg, Wil Darcangelo is stepping down this Sunday as minister.

But the city is not getting rid of him that easy.

In fact, Darcangelo is going to continue to be very active in Fitchburg and will continue ministering in Lancaster.

“I’m not retiring from ministry entirely,” Darcangelo said. “I’ve been at Fitchburg for 10 years and I’ve been serving as minister at the Lancaster Unitarian Church for five years. I still want to continue to serve Lancaster for at least another five years.”

Darcangelo also plans to continue as a “patron” of Phillips Hall inside First Parish Church.

“I’m not leaving Fitchburg and I want to continue my service to the community of Fitchburg in whatever ways I can,” Darcangelo said. “And one of the ways will be continuing to renovate and restore Phillips Hall because it’s a beautiful jewel-box theater that could really add to the cultural landscape here in Fitchburg.”

Darcangelo has put out an open invitation to the public to join him at the church at 923 Main St. at 10:30 a.m. Sunday for what he calls the “last Sunday of the best 10 years of his life.”

The final service in Fitchburg will be followed by a potluck barbecue picnic at Camp Wellville in Ashburnham. Those interested in attending the picnic should RSVP to fitchburguu@gmail.com and add what they plan to bring. Hot dogs and burgers will be provided.

“I feel like I had been working up to becoming a minister for my whole life,” Darcangelo said. “And I feel over the past 10 years I’ve become myself in a way that I really didn’t expect.”

Darcangelo said he feels blessed that First Parish Church put its trust in him to become its minister.

“We had such an affinity for one another,” he said , speaking on his relationship and connection with the First Parish Church. “They have been witnessed to all these wonderful things that have happened in my life over the past 10 years including marrying my husband Jamie and adopting Lavender and all of our adventure.”

Lavender is none other than Lavender Darcangelo , who was a singer from Season 18 of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent," advancing to the final 11.

While he did some serious soul searching before deciding to leave the ministry at First Parish Church, Darcangelo said he realized that it was time to free up some time.

“Lavender’s career this year has taken up a fair amount of time. Also, we’re in the process of founding a new autism-focused charter school here in Fitchburg, as a result of her being on the show,” Darcangelo said. “Life is just full and I thought, 'Oh, if I have to let something go, I feel that I have fulfilled my calling to serve the congregation in Fitchburg.' So that seemed to be the best choice for everybody.”

As for what he’s going to miss most about leaving First Parish Church in the official capacity as minister, Darcangelo said that he’s going to miss working 450 feet from his house, as well as being the “spiritual leader” of the church.

“I’ve loved Fitchburg my whole life and to have such a role was, not only an honor, but extremely humbling,” Darcangelo said. “I always see myself as a black sheep and, subconsciously, not fit for the ministry. That I’m a gay man. I have a colorful life. I have colorful language. How does that correspond with being a religious professional?”

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Wil Darcangelo stepping back from church ministry, pledges to stay active in Fitchburg