MacNeil was born into a Presbyterian family in Scotland, but was brought up in Ballarat, Victoria.
Poor health, however, hindered his itinerant work until he recovered after laying on of hands by an Anglican minister.
At the end of his tour, in late August, he collapsed and died in a city shop.
Mikey Lynch describes MacNeil as "that kind of evangelist which seems to pop up in every generation: someone who ruffles feathers and pushes boundaries.
His biography contains many fond, harsh and perplexed criticisms of his manner; and just as many apologies, concessions and defences of him.