Irvin Eugene Beverly Sr. was born in Lusby, Maryland, to the late Raymond and Clara Beverly. He is the seventh of ten children, with six sisters and three brothers. Only one brother still survives at the time of his UCAC interview.

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Reverend Beverly is a graduate of Brooks High School in Prince Frederick, Maryland, and furthered his education at Skidmore Vocational School of Tailoring, Dressmaking, and Design in Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He became a successful tailor and managed a dry cleaning business in Calvert County even while working full-time as a logistic specialist at the National Security Agency. Always an entrepreneur, he went on to open his own popular tailoring shop as well.

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He is a lifelong and devoted member of St. John United Methodist Church in Lusby, Maryland. He has said that his deep love for people and a calling to serve led him to step into the role of Sunday School Superintendent at just seventeen years old. His many religious leadership roles over fifteen years have included Lay Leader, Lay Servant, Lay Speaker, and Lay Delegate to the Annual Baltimore-Washington United Methodist Church Conference.

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He completed the United Methodist Course of Study and attended License to Preach School, preparing for the work to which he felt he had been called. In the fall of 1999, following the passing of the pastor at Bethesda United Methodist Church, Beverly was asked by the District Superintendent to serve until a new pastor was appointed.

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When a new pastor was appointed in January 2000, he continued to serve alongside the incoming pastor, assisting and supporting the ministry for six months. On July 1, 2000, Rverend Beverly was officially appointed as Local Pastor, and continued serving at Bethesda United Methodist Church in Valley Lee, Maryland until his retirement in June 2026.

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Pastor Beverly is widely known, revered, and well-liked by many individuals and groups in both Calvert and St. Mary’s counties. He has lent his support to many community groups including UCAC for many years.

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Reverend Beverly is a devoted family man. He is the father of two sons from his marriage to his late wife, Doris, and through his marriage to his beloved wife Eilene, has embraced the role of becoming father to her four daughters. Together, they cherish a growing legacy as proud grandparents of eleven grandchildren—five boys and six girls—and seven great-grandchildren, who bring him immeasurable joy.

 

Reverend Irvin Eugene Beverly Sr. was interviewed by Alma Jordon on March 27, 2025 for the Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions Oral History Documentation Project.  He discusses his near miss with death after an automobile accident when he was a teenager, his community and entrepreneurial pursuits, and his 25 years of service as Pastor of Bethesda United Methodist Church.