Harrington, Bob

Harrington, Bob

Alabama native, well-known evangelist dies

Famed New Orleans evangelist and Alabama native Bob Harrington, known by many as “the chaplain of Bourbon Street,” died July 4. He was 89.

Harrington became a well-known evangelist during the 1960s and 1970s following his conversion to Christianity at age 30 in his hometown of Sweet Water. He was a popular guest on national television shows.

Harrington moved to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with his family in 1960, serving as assistant pastor of First Baptist Church, New Orleans. During that time he adopted Bourbon Street as his personal mission field, being declared “the chaplain of Bourbon Street” by New Orleans Mayor Victor Schiro in 1962.

Harrington spent many years out of the ministry, but eventually returned to preaching later in life.

Harrington was preceded in death by his wife, Rebecca. He is survived by two children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. (BP, TAB)