HIU Mourns the Passing of the Rev. J. Alan McLean

Hartford International received word recently of the loss of the Rev. J. Alan McLean, who was born May 3, 1933, and died April 28, 2024. A trustee, alum, and former professor, his commitment to social justice, compassion, and equality impacted our community and beyond.

Alan earned a Master’s in Sacred Theology from what was then Hartford Seminary in 1970, focusing on Urban Ethics, and later served on the Board of Trustees. Though he officially retired in 1998, Alan continued to share his wisdom and passion as he taught multiple courses at the Seminary from 1998 to 2006.

Born on May 3, 1933, in Ayer, MA, Alan initially pursued a path in medicine, earning acceptance into Tufts University Medical School. However, a pivotal conversation with Amherst College Chaplain Thayer Green led him to enroll at Yale Divinity School instead, graduating in 1959. 

Alan’s actions during the civil rights movement exemplified his courage and conviction. In 1964, he co-founded a Northern chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in Massachusetts and participated in nonviolent protests in the segregated South, which resulted in his arrest. 

 As the pastor of Center Church in Hartford, he advanced the Open and Affirming church movement, welcoming individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities. His advocacy extended to racial and economic justice, exemplified by his leadership during the 1982 "Unity Day" counter-rally against the KKK, which drew over 1,000 attendees, including notable figures like actor Paul Newman.

When asked about his ministry’s strength, Alan humbly replied, “Isn’t that what Jesus’s followers are supposed to do?”

Alan will be remembered for his infectious laughter, generous spirit, and unwavering faith. He was a role model who inspired many throughout his life.

Read his obituary here.