The Rev. Grayson Garvin celebrated 50 years of priesthood in the Episcopal Church late last month.
Although the celebration was held at the Episcopal Church of Resurrection in Longwood, Garvin, 77, is known throughout the Plant City community for the transformative work he did for St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. He served for 15 years at the Carey Street church, during which time he achieved tenure and helped complete two major building programs, in addition to being honored with a national award that named him the Outstanding Young Man of the Year.
THE BEGINNING
While attending Florida State University, Garvin began his studies with a double major in biology and chemistry. However, after taking on an assistantship at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Tallahassee, Garvin fell in love with the Episcopal Church.
“This is what God wanted me to do with my life,” Garvin said.
Garvin later attended the General Theological Seminary in New York City. After graduating, he completed three missions in South Carolina before moving to Plant City in 1975.
In 1979, Garvin was responsible for building a new rectory, making improvements to the west end of the church, and building the church’s bell tower and balcony.
In 1985, Garvin helped to nearly double the size of the church, a feat that was managed by cutting the church in half to make new additions.
He isn’t only remembered for his building improvements.
“As a gourmet cook he raised the bar for our covered dish suppers,” parishioner Betty Jones said. “We went far beyond fried chicken and potato salad. I remember the p’tés de foie gras he brought to a gathering at parishioner Helen Mann’s home.”
He sang in St. Jude’s choir, made appearances at vacation Bible school — one year donning complete scuba gear and flippers — and took part in the Greening of the Halls tradition each Christmas.
“Parishioners would gather in the parish hall to make huge fern wreaths under his watchful eye,” Jones said. “Father Garvin would be atop an extremely tall extension ladder, hanging the wreaths, festooned with handmade velvet bows and garland … Danny Wilkes, Danny Wilder and Ken Fields, among others, were on hand to help. Sue Winston placed the magi and shepherds around the church, bringing them closer to the creche each Sunday before Christmas.
“Father Garvin knew how to get our parishioners involved,” Jones said.
Although Garvin has served at numerous churches throughout his priesthood, St. Peter’s in Plant City is where he has made some of his most cherished friends and memories.
“Plant City will always be closest to my heart,” Garvin said. “I will be buried there. It’s where I served the longest, and the people there are just wonderful. I enjoyed so much of my stay there.”
While serving in Plant City, Garvin was also involved in the community. In addition to the improvements he made to St. Peter’s, he also helped in a project that redid downtown streets.
“I had an interest in the city,” he said.
Garvin was a rotary club member and helped to start a small theatre in the city. For seven years, he also served as the dean of Tampa’s Deanery. When a new priest came to a church, Garvin was there for the celebration of the new ministry.
“I’ve always felt the clergy should be involved … to serve the wider community as well,” Garvin said.
THE NEXT CHAPTER
After leaving St. Peter’s in 1989, Garvin moved to Winter Park, where he became the director of St. Richard’s church. He remained at that church for 10 years before having open heart surgery. One year later, he decided to take an early retirement.
“That did not last,” Garvin said.
Garvin returned to the priesthood shortly thereafter, where he became the interim priest at four different churches in Florida, including St. Agnes’ Episcopal Church in Sebring, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Merritt Island, St. James’ Episcopal Church in Leesburg and St. Kevin’s Episcopal Church in North Miami. Garvin served as the interim priest at St. James’ Episcopal Church twice.
The June 29 service allowed Garvin to celebrate his achievement with members of almost every church he has served at.
“It was wonderful to see people from so many different churches,” he said.
Now fully retired, Garvin enjoys cooking and completing two crossword puzzles every day. He had back surgery in March, leaving him with six screws in his back. As he recovers, he enjoys reading and watching movies. Although the surgery had some complications, he has not completely eliminated the possibility of serving at another church.
“A lot of it depends on how my back turns out,” he said. “We will see.”
BEST OF TIMES, WORST OF TIMES
The Rev. Grayson Garvin served his communities and the families that attended his churches in their highest and lowest points of life.
“The hardest part was dealing with people in tragedy and death,” he said. “It was always a very emotional thing. It was always heartbreaking.”
Garvin said that he was able to make it through the difficult times with prayer, meditation and his faith — the same protocol was used for celebrations, as well.
“I’ve always been an outgoing person,” he said. “[The best part] was to share and celebrate with people on various occasions in their life.”
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.