Reverend Canon Roxanne Eversley will become the first Dean of Cultural Diversity in conjunction with the residentiary role of Canon Librarian at Southwark Cathedral, when she is elevated during a ceremony this month in London, England.
The Georgetown Guyana born “Mother Roxanne,” as she is fondly called, earned the role specially created for her, due to the exceptional contributions, and her love and passion for liturgy in her diverse community.
The well-versed Anglican clergy with over thirty-years working in many aspects of the house of prayer, is well-known, and loved in the Caribbean diaspora, where she will share her brilliance and skill sets.
During an interview in the vast hall of the historic 109-year-old Holy Innocents Church, in the south London suburb of South Norwood, England, last month, Rev. Eversley spoke passionately about her continued service to the church after migrating to London in1992 to be married to her now decease husband.
The clergywoman, now, the wife of Neville Eversley, also a Guyanese national, is poised to assume her role where she will carry on working closely with the Vocation Team and linking with the vocational aspects of the Diocesan Anti-Racism Charter. This will allow her to share her indelible experience as a unifying force within the diverse realm of London.
The once Vicar of the United Benefice of Holy Innocents and St. Mark, South Norwood, Croydon, where she has served for many years, is excited to begin a new chapter in the history of the Anglican Church.
“I served as vicar of two parishes, Holy Innocence, and St. Mark after migrating to the United Kingdom in 1992 to be married. My husband died in 2002, and I remained a widower until I got married to Neville in 2020. I continued my service to St. Mark, until I was recently elevated to Canon, and will take on the role of Canon Librarian at Southwark Cathedral, in London,” she said.
“My journey started when I lived in Guyana. I attended Elem Pentecostal Church, conveniently located opposite my Dennis Street Campbellsville home,” she said, adding that her yearning to serve the Lord, also led her to St. Theresa Roman Catholic, where she attended with friends. She also worshiped at the Assemblies of God Church on Sunday evenings, however, her most enjoyable experience was shared with her dad when she attended the early morning service at the Anglican Church.
But despite attending church with friends and family, she did not immediately confirm to any religion. She continued work in the field of accountancy, and later as a graduate recruitment and quality management specialist when she arrived in London.
“When I came to Great Britain all those years ago, and joined the church, at that time, my Vicar, the Reverend Lopez, a Jesuit priest, who is now deceased, had said to me, Roxanne, you know I am against the ordination of women to the priesthood. I said I know, why are you telling me that. He then said if you put yourself forth to be trained as a priest, I would support you all the way,” she explained.
“He died before I left the parish, so when I was leaving to attend theology college, I said, I hope he is rejoicing in heaven,” she remarked with thanks to her mentor, who inspired her to excel in her vocation.
Reverend Eversley started the discernment process in earnest, and attended the vocation guidance unit as it was called in the summer of 2006. By then, she had already commenced reading theology in 2003. In 2007, she began her studies at Theological College in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, England, after learning all the aspects of the Church of England.
During the discernment process, she served as one of the area directors of Ordinands for Croydon, as well as a national bishop’s adviser on the Shared Discernment Process.
Mother Roxanne broke down barriers by becoming the first woman senior student at a time when the college was an all-male institution. In addition to shattering the glass ceiling, she was ordained dDeacon in 2009, and in 2010, elevated to the priesthood before assuming duties at South Norwich.
The priest, also served as an assistant dean at Sion College, a university that supports the education and fellowship of Church of England Clergy in London.
Canon Roxanne Eversley looks forward to taking up her new responsibilities that will no doubt be well received in the community she has dedicated much of her life serving.
Canon Eversley’s knowledge as area director of Ordinands for Croydon, and national bishop’s adviser on the Shared Discernment Process, have prepared her for this elevation, and as the most qualified to bring together congregants in London, the largest city of England, with a population of 8,000,000.
