Celebrating the Life & Ministry of The Very Reverend James Rudolph Smithen
Dean Emeritus, CSM, GCM, M.A., B.Th, L.Th. lovingly known as Father Smithen.
A humble man from Nevis who showed the world that faithfulness and obedience can accomplish extraordinary things for God and for others.
A man who believed in God, family, church, and community, and lived his faith openly, as a light to all who knew him.
The Quiet Strength of a Faithful Life
Dean Rudolph Smithen, warmly known as Father Smithen, or Rudy by his late wife Evelyn, lived a life rooted in service and compassion. Born in Barnes Ghaut, Nevis, a small village that would nurture a man who would touch countless lives across the Caribbean and beyond.
He was an ordinary man who believed extraordinary things were possible through faith in God. From his humble beginnings, he answered the call to ministry in 1973 and dedicated the next 52 years to serving God, family, church, and community, as priest, Archdeacon, and Dean across Antigua, St. Kitts, Nevis, and Anguilla.
His life proved that ordinary people can do extraordinary things for God. You simply need to be obedient, faithful, and willing to let your light shine for others.
As We Come Together to Honor His Memory
Celebration of Life
Join us in Antigua on April 9th to celebrate Dean Smithen's extraordinary life and ministry.
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Share Your Memories
We invite you to share your stories, condolences, and memories of Dean Smithen.
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Travel Logistics
We know many of you are travelling from outside of Antigua. Here are a few possible accommodations suggestions and guides.
His Final Gift
Not one to shy away from sharing his knowledge, Dean Smithen authored "The Service of Holy Communion" as a gift to the Anglican community.
Remembering Moments Caught in Time
Dean Smithen showed us that ministry began at home with his loved ones and then spread to the church and the community. He taught us how to love, to serve, to pray. We are blessed to have some of those memories captured here.
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Moments in time
A visual journey through Dean Smithen's remarkable years as a husband, father, and obedient servant
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