Reverend Larry D. McCutcheon is a Man of God who continues to serve as a Minister of the People, For the People, and By the People. A spiritual and civic leader, he preaches the Gospel and Walks the Walk throughout various sectors of the community in an extraordinary way, touching the lives of so many with his unique ability to reach all people from all walks of life.
Rev. McCutcheon is a native of Lake City, SC and the son of the late Mr. Samuel D. and Mrs. Emma Cooper McCutcheon. He grew up in Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in Lake City.
He graduated from Carver High School in 1968, Claflin University (Religion & Philosophy) in 1972, and the Interdenominational Theological Center (Master of Divinity) in 1976 with further studies towards a Doctor of Ministry at Emory University.
For eleven years, he served as pastor of Trinity UMC in Orangeburg. He has also served as District Superintendent of the Charleston District and has served as Pastor of Cumberland United Methodist Church in Florence, SC, Mt. Carmel and Claflin United Methodist Churches in Bamberg, and the Williamston Charge in Williamston, SC. For ten years he served as Director of the Orangeburg Wesley Foundation, where he raised funds to build the current structure for students at SC State University and Claflin University. During that time, he served as part-time Chaplain at Claflin.
Snapshot of his church and community involvement:
-Claflin University Alumni Association, Orangeburg Chapter President
-Claflin University Board of Trustees (2004– 2015)
-James E. Stamps Award (Founders’ National Award of the United Negro College Fund)
-Chaired SC United Methodist Church (UMC) Advocate Board (Communication)
-Chaired SC Conference (UMC) Committee on Health and Welfare Ministries
-Delegate to Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference (2004) of UMC
-Reserve Delegate to the 2004 General Conference of UMC
-Chairman of Southeastern Jurisdictional District Superintendents (UMC) Consultation
-Life Member-NAACP
-Life Member-Claflin University International Alumni Association
-First African American elected Bamberg County Council District 2 (Bamberg) and to serve as Chairperson of the Council
-Distinguished Service Award of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., one of only 166 brothers elected in the 98 years of the history of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
-Distinguished Alumni Award
Family:
Reverend McCutcheon is married to Dr. Gloria Sanders McCutcheon, Emerita Professor at Clemson University and Chair and Professor of Biology at Claflin University. Two daughters (two Sons-in Law) and four grandchildren: Carmen J. (Alphonso) McCutcheon, Esq., Dr. Priscilla (Joseph) McCutcheon-Benitez, Emmanuel David Benitez, and Paloma Jeanine Benitez and Grace Marie and Emma Jean Simon.