Rev. Dr. James C. Larkin Sr

Rev. Dr. James “Jim” Clarence Larkin Sr. went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the morning of July 24th, 2020 after a 14-month battle with brain cancer. He was born on September 27th, 1952 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Dr. William John Larkin, Sr. and Margaret Calista (Morgan) Larkin. When he was six years old, his family moved to Chicago, where his father was the pastor of the Buena Memorial Presbyterian Church in the Uptown neighborhood. Jim grew up in the Albany Park/Ravenswood neighborhood and proudly graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1970. He continued his education at Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL), where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Religion in 1974. Although raised in a Christian home, it was at Wheaton that Jim came to know Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. After witnessing the drastic changes the Holy Spirit did in his life, Jim began to desire to see God work powerfully in other people’s lives, especially those from the city. He went on to receive his Masters of Divinity with a focus in New Testament and Urban Studies from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Hamilton, MA) in 1977. He filled the role as interim pastor at two rural churches in South Carolina. Dr. Larkin was ordained in the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) and was the Senior Pastor of Kensington Gospel Tabernacle (C&MA) in Philadelphia, PA from 1977 to 1987. It was in Philadelphia that Jim met his wife Sharon Lynne (Ellingson). While engaged, the couple began praying about the possibility of planting a church in Chicago. They felt called to return to Albany Park, where there was a need for a Gospel-centered congregation with services in English. Jim and Sharon married on January 30th, 1988 and moved to Chicago shortly thereafter.

Christ Church (C&MA) was founded in June 1989 during a prayer meeting of three people in Jim and Sharon’s apartment on Kimball Avenue. Driven by a passion to see people reconciled to God, Dr. Larkin served as Senior Pastor of Christ Church for over thirty years. He particularly loved the ethnic diversity of the Albany Park neighborhood. According to one survey, there were 32 languages spoken within two blocks of the church building on Troy Street. Under the conviction that people from all walks of life needed to know of God’s love for them, Christ Church became known as “a church for all people.” Pastor Jim oversaw a wide variety of ministries at Christ Church. This included a weekly soup kitchen, English as a Second Language classes, gang outreaches, political demonstrations, job trainings, and countless examples of simply helping people in any way he could. For over 25 years, he directed Chicago Alive Youth Camp, an annual summer camp for urban youth.

Pastor Jim consistently witnessed the difficulties faced by individuals in urban communities. He was particularly distraught by how these sociological challenges impeded their confidence in becoming leaders in the local church. To better address these needs, Pastor Jim returned to Gordon-Conwell at the age of 53 to start his doctoral studies. He completed his Doctor of Ministry in 2009 with a dissertation focused on methods to develop indigenous leadership within the local church. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Larkin started Beckon, a nonprofit organization aimed at mentoring young urban men to become equipped to lead within the church and society.

Dr. Larkin lived with the conviction that there was no soul too far astray to be reconciled to God. It was his heart’s desire for all to know that, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Dr. Larkin was preceded in death by his brother, William Larkin, Jr. (Edna). He is survived by his wife Sharon, his four children Bruce, Maggie (Sam), Jimmy, and Michael, his sister Ruth Dunham (John), brother Timothy (Cindy), and brother David (Zoe). Donations may be made out to the organizations listed below.

In consideration of the safety of all our guests and associates, Drake and Son Funeral Home will adhere to the current gathering restrictions in the state of Illinois, which allows 50 or fewer guests at services. Proper social distancing must be practiced and all guests will be required to wear face masks at all times. Thank you for your cooperation.