Bishop lauded for 53 years of service to church

The members of the Refuge Temple Apostolic Church in Old Harbour, St Catherine, recently lauded Bishop Neville Barrington Currie for his 53 years of service to the institution and its congregation.

Glowing tributes came in the form of speeches and songs for the clergyman, who hails from Ulster Spring in Trelawny. Currie was the fifth child for Lydia and Felix Currie, and literally packed his 'dulcimena' and left for greener pastures. THE STAR was told that Currie started on his journey to Old Harbour at age 19, and worked at the post office in the town for 34 years. While serving the communities, he worshipped at Refuge church where he met his wife, Esmay. In 1971, he was ordained an elder at the church, and grew in the Christian faith until he became a clergyman. Fifty-three years later, he said he has thoroughly enjoyed the journey.

"Over these many years, I have performed 1,498 weddings. I have given back to the community through charity. I have helped to develop the Refuge Temple Basic School and Evening Institute, which moulds and builds many academically, and I feel very good to have achieved all these objectives," Currie said.

He added that he will continue to oversee running of the church until Elder Oniel Pusey takes over.

"I love to serve the people, and on occasions some members would be treated with grocery supplies from the trunk of my car. Plus, we cook and serve those on the streets. So I will continue to serve," Currie said. The devout Christian, who is affectionately called 'Bro Currie', 'Pastor Currie', and 'Mr Currie', is blessed with the energy for serving the church.

"I am very pleased, and with the continued support of my family, I will continue as a shepherd," he said.

He is married to Esmay Currie and fathered one daughter, Kelly, who was brought up in the Christian faith and has since married a clergyman, Pastor Leacroft Clarke.

The benevolence of the bishop was echoed by several members, some of whom benefited from his kindness.

"He is a great leader who lives by example. His fatherly input is something the entire church looks for, so he is a great man of God," one member told the news team.