By Lee Hurley
Mountain Brook resident Russell Levenson has a new book coming out in October called Witness to Belief, Conversations on Faith and Meaning, further proof he has entered the next chapter in a life and career that has blended pulpit ministry, leadership of the largest Episcopal congregation in the country and a close and spiritual relationship with President George and Barbara Bush. The book, Levenson’s eighth, features conversations with 12 prominent individuals whose faith has (in different ways) carried them through the highs and lows that life gives all of us. More on that in a bit.
Get a Job
Born and raised in Mountain Brook, Russell Levenson had a good idea that he wanted to enter the ministry after graduating from Birmingham-Southern College, but when he went to see Episcopal Bishop Bill Stough for his blessing, the revered Bishop told him to “go get a job, make some money then come back and see me.” Disappointed, yet heeding the advice, Levenson went to work for Neal Berte at his alma mater, married the love of his life Laura and later served as John Claypool’s youth minister at Saint = Luke’s Episcopal Church until he had proven to himself and others that this calling was for real.
With their two young children in tow, the Levensons packed their bags and left for Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia. After graduating in 1992, the young priest accepted a positon as the undergraduate chaplain at the University of the South—Sewanee. Levenson says, “My boss, a great guy and mentor, assured me he would be there for the next five years. Three months later he was recruited to another church and left the following spring.” So, the Levensons jumped at the offer to come home and again serve with John Claypool.
Yet as military officers and episcopal priests will tell you, the way to gain responsibility is to keep moving, which is exactly what they did, first to Lafayette, Louisiana where he became the rector of The Episcopal Church of The Ascension, and then to the rectors post at Christ Episcopal Church in Pensacola—a calling and lifestyle the Levensons felt grateful for. “We were 10 minutes from the beach, we had a wonderful congregation, the kids loved it and I thought, well, we’ll retire here,” he says. God had other plans.
Houston Calling
One day Levenson got a call. St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston needed a new rector. Would he consider it? “Laura and I were very happy where we were,” Levenson says. “All four of our parents were alive, just a few hours away. And we had been told there were over 100 people being considered for the position.” Initially resistant, Russell came home one night and said “they’re really praying for whoever it’s going to be along with their family and children and if they’re doing that, we should too.” Weeks later they were off to Houston for three days of interviews. “We finally met at the Omni Hotel, and the chairman of the search committee said, ‘We want you to be our next rector.’ We were shocked. He had tears in his eyes, and Laura did too.”
St. Martin’s and the Bush family
Levenson served nearly 17 years as rector of St. Martin’s from 2007 to 2024, describing his years there as “a great run,” which is an understatement. When he arrived, membership had grown under previous leadership, but during his tenure the church expanded from roughly 7,900 members to more than 10,000, supported by a staff of over 200. He guided the congregation through major building programs and oversaw strong governance with full vestry support. Asked one time what it was like to lead a parish that size he said, “Well, we have 18,000 events a year. That’s 40 to 60 a day. Everything from a Thursday women’s Bible study to three groups of women who play mahjong. There are 35 recovery groups that meet on campus every week, plus several men’s Bible studies and many outreach ministries. A lot going on.”
His most high-profile parishioners were the 41st President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush, whose quiet but consistent presence in the pews soon grew into a warm personal relationship. President Bush first welcomed Levenson with a phone call when he accepted the Houston post and later wrote personal notes to Russell and Laura’s parents to ease their transition. “That floored me,” Levenson says. Over the years, the Levensons joined the Bushes for dinners, outings to baseball games and theater, as well as summers in Kennebunkport, Maine, where Levenson says the Bush family cottages were comfortable but far from lavish. The Bushes faithfully attended services when in town, accompanied discreetly by Secret Service agents, and never sought special treatment in worship. Levenson recalls President Bush’s kindness, humility and refusal to speak ill of others—even after political defeats—as well as Barbara Bush’s wit and occasional pointed remarks. Their friendship endured through milestone moments, including Bush’s skydiving, his recovery from a broken neck accident in Kennebunkport and ultimately at their bedside at the end of their lives.
The Books
Beyond his parish leadership, Levenson has been a prolific author. He began with several devotional works that found a wide readership and later published a golf-themed book called In God’s Grip: What Golf Can Teach Us about the Gospel, later reissued with a foreword by broadcaster Jim Nantz. His most widely recognized work, Witness to Dignity: The Life and Faith of George H.W. and Barbara Bush (2022), chronicled his relationship with the Bushes and offered intimate reflections on their faith, humility and kindness. Levenson had not considered writing this new book until he realized just how much the family’s kindness and compassion set an example for others. “People wrote to tell me that, inspired by George and Barbara’s story, they had gone back to church, re-engaged in worship and began practicing prayer and Bible study,” Levenson says. “What inspired them? Not a sermon I preached, but the witness of two people who possessed all the world has to offer and yet in the end knew that their faith was their most important gift.”
Witness to Belief
Levenson’s newest book, Witness to Belief, set out to profile public figures whose lives are quietly but deeply shaped by faith. The book gathers a dozen conversations with well-known individuals—from actors Denzel Washington, Gary Sinise and Sam Waterston to leaders like Nikki Haley, James Baker and Jane Goodall—offering intimate glimpses into their spiritual practices and personal stories. Levenson approached each as a pastor, not a journalist, recording their reflections on prayer, resilience and purpose and praying with those who asked. The result is a collection that highlights how faith is lived in diverse ways outside the church, showing us that belief and devotion can thrive in the most public of lives.
The past is here
Living in the house he grew up in as a kid, Russell remembers hanging out with his wife Laura’s older brother riding banana seat bikes and skateboarding throughout Cherokee Bend. Those days are gone, but thankfully he still has his bride of 41 years to keep his manners and humility in check. While Levenson might be retired, that should not conjure up thoughts of long naps on a lazy Monday afternoon. His upcoming book tour starts in Connecticut and continues on for weeks, his prolific writing habit includes a novel, which has already been accepted by a publisher, his garden produces peppers that he uses to make homemade hot sauce, he experiments with soap-making, he manages two fish tanks—one salt and the other fresh—his banjoes, guitars and ukuleles hang on the wall and are in tune, and he is a self-described dabbler in light painting.
Ambassador Nikki Haley could have been easily describing Russell Levenson when she said, “The best way of reaching out with your faith is to help others. I think it is so important to live your life in a way that people want to be close to you and get to know you more…,” Amen.
Book Signings
October 11 at 3 p.m. Alabama Booksmith, 2626 19th Pl. S., in Homewood
Sunday, October 12 at 12:15 p.m. book signing at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 3736 Montrose Road, Mountain Brook
