The Rev. Canon Beverly Madison Currin,Ph.D.,Rector Emeritus of Christ Church, Pensacola, died on January 7, 2016. The Burial Office will be read and the Eucharist celebrated in Christ Church on Tuesday January 12 at 11am.

Dr. Currin was Rector of Christ Church from 1966 until November, 2002. He was designated Rector Emeritus when he retired. Under his leadership Christ Church grew to be the largest Episcopal Church in the Diocese and one of the largest in the nation. During his tenure as Rector, four buildings were constructed and two additional buildings were renovated including the former Broxton Furniture building now the home of the Episcopal Day School. In 1998, a gymnasium and classroom building was constructed and named The Currin Center in his honor.

For many years , Dr. Currin was involved in community affairs including development and historic preservation. He was primarily responsible for the restoration of Old Christ Church on Seville Square. The Governor appointed him to the Historic Pensacola Preservation Board in 1997, again in 2002, and he also served as trustee of Historic Pensacola, Inc., when HPPB was placed under the University of West Florida rather than the Department of State.

Prior to his coming to Pensacola in 1966, Dr. Currin served as an assistant at Grace and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia where he was ordained to the priesthood by the Bishop of Virginia in 1959.  From 1961-1966, he was Rector and then Dean of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke and St. Paul in Charleston, South Carolina. Under his direction, the church became the Cathedral of the Diocese of South Carolina in 1963.

While in Pensacola, Dr. Currin was one of the founding fathers of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, which had its Primary Convention at Christ Church in 1971. He has served two consecutive terms as President of the Standing Committee of the Diocese as well as a member of the Finance Committee, Commission on Ministry, and Commission on Planned Giving. He was elected a deputy to four General Conventions of the Episcopal Church. In addition, he has served as a member of the Bishop's Council of Advice, clergy chairman of Venture in Mission, Historiographer of the Diocese, The Bishop's Search Committee and over the years served on almost all of the commissions of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast.

A native of Burlington, North Carolina, he received his BA degree from Elon College; The M.Div from Duke University Divinty School, and the Th.M. and Ph.D degrees from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia.

He has preached in some of the leading churches in the Episcopal Church, conducted teaching missions, and led retreats and conferences. He was a Fellow of the College of Preachers of the Washington National Cathedral. He was the author of eight books, four of which were histories of Pensacola and Christ Church. In January, 2003, the Bishop of South Carolina made him an honorary Canon of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke and St. Paul in Charleston, S.C. in recognition of his being the first Dean of the Cathedral.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years , Eleanor McCall Lachicotte Currin, formerly of Pawley's Island and Charleston, S.C., and three sons, Madison Currin, III and his wife Starr and their daughter and son in law Michelle and James Davis of Houston, Tx.; David Lachicotte Currin and his wife Michelle and their two daughters Morgan Lachicotte and Madeline Beverly-Ann of Pace; and Saint Julian McCall Currin and his wife Kelly and their two daughters Heidi Elizabeth and Bridget McCall of St. Augustine.

The family would like to thank all involved in Dr. Currin's care over the last few years specifically, Rufus, Debbie, Casey, Annette, Jennifer, Barbara, Bruce, Tristan, Dr.s Bud Knefley Jr., Henry Langhorne Sr, Henry Langhorne Jr, Ed Rogers and Brent Videau, the staff of 4 west and the ICCU at Baptist Hospital, the nurses of Covenant Hospice and staff of Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel.

Special Thanksgiving is given to the entire Christ Church Family, the community and all who loved Dr. Currin. His family is eternally grateful for all the love and support. The three greatest things are Faith, Hope and Love.

Dr. Currin's favorite prayer by John Henry Newman:

O Lord Support Us All The Day Long until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done, Then in thy mercy , grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last.

His Lord said unto him, Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Matthew 25:23

Memorial Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 PM Monday, January 11, 2016 at Christ Episcopal Church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Matt Currin Lectures FundChrist Episcopal Church, 18 West Wright Street, Pensacola, FL 32501.