If you saw Rev. Mark Curtis on the street without his clerical collar, you might well mistake him for a lawyer or a salesman. You’d certainly sense he’s a man who is comfortable in the spotlight.
But if he were to burst into song, you’d probably be completely confused, because this pastor just doesn’t look the part.
Rev. Curtis is, in fact, “Canada’s Singing Priest” and for more than 20 years, he’s been bringing his message of hope and joy to thousands of people across Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean.
He has been honoured by the prime minister and received enthusiastic reviews for his clear tenor voice, warm stage presence, and gentle humour.
Last Wednesday evening, Rev. Curtis was in Fort Frances, where he entertained 160 people at St. John the Baptist Anglican Church and raised nearly $800 for his favourite charity—the Rose Cherry Hospice in Milton, Ont.
Born and raised on the Niagara Peninsula, Rev. Curtis, 47, attended the University of Waterloo, where he majored in choral and music. Obviously, music was a powerful force in his life—even before he joined the clergy.
“I guess I’ve always had a strong pull that way,” he said prior to last Wednesday’s performance, then added with a chuckle: “People still say to me, ‘Are you sure you’re really a priest?’”
Yes, he really is. He formally was a pastor in the Anglican diocese of Niagara before his calling took him in a different direction. For the past 10 years, he has been on the road almost exclusively.
“Now the world has become my parish,” he explained. “I’m sort of a musical ambassador who helps people get in touch with themselves and their faith.
“Music takes you places you’ve never been. It touches people at a special level and crosses boundaries.”
Rev. Curtis brings a combination of gospel, jazz, and contemporary pop to his “sermons,” and lists Harry Chapin, Dan Hill, Jim Croce, and Elton John as his musical influences. He also has worked with comedian Red Skelton, of whom he was extremely fond.
In Fort Frances, he opened his show with a slightly-reworked rendition of “I’m a Believer” by the Monkees. Go figure.
But it’s more than the love of singing and performing that keeps this showman on the road.
The Rose Cherry Hospice (named after the late wife of Hockey Night in Canada personality Don Cherry) is a special centre for children suffering from chronic and terminal illnesses.
Though still under construction, when complete in about a year, it will provide a unique environment for children to find comfort and support in the last months of their young lives.
“Kids teach us how precious everything is,” Rev. Curtis said. “They’re my real inspiration.”
Rev. Curtis currently is showcasing his latest CD, entitled “You Bend My Heart,” which features a combination of traditional gospel, Celtic, and original songs.
He is making several stops across Northern Ontario before returning to his home in Milton.
Rev. Curtis has raised more than $11 million for a variety of charities and community causes throughout Canada and the U.S. over the past 20 years.
To learn more about his work and upcoming concert dates, visit www.fathermarkcurtis.com
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
