Born in Rutherglen, Canon McGovern, like many others of that day, spent his high school years at Our Lady's High in Motherwell. Ordained on 31 May 1947, he took up his first post as a curate at St John Bosco, New Stevenson. He proceeded to St Monica's, Coatbridge 1954-62 and to Corpus Christi, Calderbank, 1962-69. He returned to Coatbridge in 1969 to St Bartholomew's, Townhead, where he served until his transfer to Moodiesburn in 1984.
He was a contemporary of the late Thomas Cardinal Winning and apparently knew Shieldmuir quite well from his frequent visits to the Winning home. His photo taken at his Golden Jubilee shows how he merited the nickname of "Smiler" given to him by his classmates.
Canon McGovern succeeded Monsignor O'Donnell in 1984 when the Monsignor became too ill to continue. He had a previous connection with St Ignatius Parish however; he acted as assistant to Bishop Scanlan when the Bishop attended the parish centenary of St Ignatius in 1959. Also in attendance in Wishaw that day as an assistant was Monsignor O'Donnell. He was always attentive to the sick and visited them regularly during his time in St Ignatius - probably from having a history of heart trouble of his own before he came here. His prescription for good health was a cold shower in the morning and a large number of pints (of fresh water!) every day. After celebrating his Golden Jubilee in the priesthood in 1997, he retired in July 1998 to a well earned rest with Fr Gerry Maguiness administering the Parish until Monsignor Conway took over in November 1998.
Canon McGovern died on 17 January 2017, his funeral took place from St Columbkille's Church in Rutherglen.