The Reverend Canon Richard L. Marquess-Barry, D.D.
Rector, Historic St. Agnes Church, Miami, Fl
Diocese of Southeast Florida

Fr. Barry, a second-generation American, was born in 1940 to a family of great privilege on one side and extreme poverty on the other. He states he was afforded the very best opportunity for growth and development that his family could offer. From his youth Fr. Barry has taken full advantage of every opportunity for education and development. He has completed thirteen years of education above high school and continues to take advantage of these opportunities. He is a fifth-generation Anglican and has been active in the church all of his life. He states that the Church has always been the center of his life.

Fr. Barry met and fell in love with his wife of thirty-seven years, Virla, when they were both college freshmen. He considers her his greatest blessing, his best friend and his confident. Fr. and Mrs. Barry have one daughter and one grandson.

From time to time in his youth he gave the ordained ministry some thought. However, it was during the time he was a public school teacher that the rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Culpepper, Virginia encouraged him to be tested for a priestly vocation.

Fr. Barry became Rector of The Historic St. Agnes Episcopal Church, the largest parish in the Diocese of Southeast Florida, in 1977. From 1968 to 1977 he served as vicar of St. Simon, the Cyrenian Episcopal Church in Fort Pierce and as Priest-in-Charge, St. Monica's Church, Stuart, Florida.

In 1995 the African Orthodox Church honored Fr. Barry for his life and ministry by investing him as an honorary canon of St. Peter's African Orthodox Cathedral in Miami.

Canon Barry states that he has traveled widely, has dined with heads of state and in local soup kitchens with the homeless. He says, "I have looked down the barrel of a gun in one of several attempts on my life; I wept when my church was set on fire and wiped away the tears and began rebuilding. I know what it is to have a grateful heart and to truly thank God for his manifold mercies and grace. I have amassed many reputations over my lifetime. About these I am powerless. I have labored also a lifetime to develop and build good character. I am fully in control of this character thing. My maternal grandmother, whose wisdom and sense of humor I cherished, admonished me, "'Tis better to be hated for who you is than to be loved for who you ain't.'"

The rector of St. Agnes continued, "My entire life has been a reflection of the scriptural text, 'Unto whom much is given, much is required.' I have always taken great joy and delight in helping to uplift others. I enjoy life. I live life. I love people. I live a life of simplicity with great joy and compassion, seeking never to take myself too seriously."