Pass Christian’s Historic Trinity Episcopal Church found reason to celebrate their 169th year of service and outreach on the Mississippi Gulf Coast by welcoming a new rector.
Trinity Episcopal Church has been without a permanent rector for a 1itt1e over a year, according to long-time church leader and member Jeanne Tagge. However this week, the congregation was excited to introduce Rev. Dr. Kyle Vernon Bennett who will serve as the 27th rector since its establishment in 1849.
Dr. Bennett, a north Mississippi native, has been serving as rector at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Marco Island, Florida for the last 12 years but he’s no stranger to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Dr. Bennett has previously served as rector at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Long Beach. He was also a youth minister at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Diamondhead and taught at Pass Christian’s Coast Episcopal School.
Dr. Bennett is a 1985 graduate of the University of the South, located in TN. He went on to receive a Masters of Divinity from Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, a M.A. from the University of Mississippi, and a Doctor of Ministry from the University of the South.
Dr. Bennett is also the founder and director of Camp Able, a summer camp that has focused on serving individuals with diverse abilities since 2006.
“As a ‘celebrant,’ I consider all moments of worship as CELEBRATIONS.” said Dr. Bennett.
He and his wife, Dody, also a Mississippian, are celebrating their return home after 14 years away.
“Our older daughter, Callie, plans to marry in May and live in Gulfport, and our younger daughter, Ellie, is a sophomore at Ole Miss,” Dr Bennett said. “It will be great getting back to our roots.”
Dr. Bennett will be observing services for the first time on January 7, 2018. The Trinity family welcomes everyone to come out join Dr. Bennett and the Church for his first official worship.
Trinity Episcopal Church is located at 125 Church Avenue in Pass Christian. Services are held Sundays at 8am and 10am.
