Connor was ordained deacon in 1846 and priest in 1847. He officiated for a time at St Thomas's Chapel,
Newport, Isle of Wight. He was then curate at St Jude's,
Southsea then
Wareham, Dorset, before returning to Newport as vicar in 1852, where his drive and initiative got the parish church rebuilt for £22,000 (with
Prince Albert laying the foundation stone), a new vicarage and almshouses built, and local schools improved. ==Personal life==