Allan Edward Smith, OHC
January 1, 1923 - April 4, 1961 - September 13, 2006
Fr. Allan Smith (front right) With A Few Friends
(on his 80th birthday celebration, Jan 2003; photo by Alan Selmanaj)
Allan Edward Smith was born in Providence, Rhode Island on January 1, 1923. He graduated from Brown University (A.B.) and from Nashotah House (M.Div.). He was made a deacon and ordained priest in 1954 and served as Curate at St. Stephen's Church, Coconut Grove, Florida. A statue of the church's patron saint is modeled after him. He served in Coconut Grove for two years and entered the postulancy of the Order of the Holy Cross (Anglican) in 1956.
Allan made his life profession on April 4, 1961. He served in Liberia from 1961-71; during some of that time there he was prior of the Order's work. Throughout his life, Allan maintained deep love for the people of Liberia and for the culture and many rich gifts of Africa. From 1971-1972 he was part of a team for the Order's work in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1973 he returned to Liberia and was there until the autumn of 1975 when he returned to the States to have open-heart surgery. His recuperation was at Holy Redeemer Priory in Nassau, Bahamas. Allan did some very effective supply work in the various of the island groups in the Bahamas.
In 1976 he went to South Carolina to be part of Holy Saviour Priory where he served as prior and was there until 1982. He was assistant superior of the Order of the Holy Cross from 1981-1990. In 1982 he was appointed novice master and was stationed at Holy Cross Monastery in West Park. In 1984 Allan moved to Mt. Calvary Retreat House where he remained until he died there in his cell on September 13, fulfilling his wish of dying in his cell.
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Listen, Listen, Love, Love |
He was affectionately known as "Big Al." Allan was nonus (revered senior monk) to most of the OHC Community and one of their most beloved and respected members. His faithfulness to his priestly and monastic vows was admirable. He was a dear friend and a generous and wise counselor who was sought out by the many who came to Mt. Calvary. He was definite in his convictions and claimed the rectitude of his New England forbears. Allan was loyal to superiors and priors and cared deeply for his brothers, his family, and friends. He prayed daily for all of them.
During his years in Santa Barbara, Allan developed a passionate ministry with Kairos, a ministry to people in prison. He shared without reserve his deep faith in Christ with those who had little hope; he rekindled the faith of those whose faith had grown slack; and he helped others to discover faith.
Those of us who knew and loved Allan are indeed blessed in the gift of his life, his love, his prayers, and his infectious humor.
May he rest in peace and rise in Christ's glory.
(If you would like to add a reflection on Fr. Allan, email it to for inclusion here.)
Allan E. Smith dies at 83 (Episcopal News Service)
Brother Laurence's Eulogy, Memorial Mass, October 15, 2006
On
Becoming a Companion (Susan Turpin, Holy Cross Newsletter, Fall, 2000)