His father had been a Congregational Minister and, after his death, Mac Lane moved to Leominster to live with his grandfather who was also a Congregational Minister.
Kanyang ama ay nagkaroon ng isang Congregational Minister at, pagkatapos ng kanyang kamatayan, Mac Lane inilipat sa Leominster na manirahan sa kanyang lolo na din ng isang Congregational Ministro.