Larry Chapin, once a Wall Street broker, is now the senior pastor at Chester Presbyterian Church.

What does it take to be a good pastor? If Reverend Larry Chapin is any indication, all it takes is a strong devotion to God peppered with plenty of life experiences. A former equity trader and stockbroker, Chapin traded in a career on Wall Street for seminary school, now serving as senior pastor at Chester Presbyterian Church.

“Larry does a great job; he is such a sincere and warm person and a very caring pastor,” says Susan Nunnally, member of the church for the past 26 years. “With his experience, he brings so much to the pulpit that you wouldn’t always see. He understands what people are going through, especially with the current political and economic unrest.”

Chapin’s unusual career path started early as he moved into law school straight out of college. Serving as a labor law litigator for four years, he retired from law in 1983 to enter Wall Street.

“I enjoyed my work because it was rewarding and challenging, but fairly early on I had a sense that it wasn’t what I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” says Chapin. “I left law because I sensed that there were other things to do, things that would make me happier in the long run.”

Leaving law, Chapin started on Wall Street in sales, carving himself a niche in developing overseas clientele. While spending two years building an institutional brokerage business for a German bank, Chapin once again felt that there was something more out there, this time feeling a call to the church.

“The moment that I decided to join the seminary occurred at home,” says Chapin. “I was having a conversation with my wife to get clarity about what the rest of my life was supposed to look like. I grew up in a church, but like a lot of young people, I spent some time away from it. However, when things like a family and the rest of your life comes along, you feel pulled back into it. I just felt more and more compelled to involve myself in the church.”

Looking for a change of scenery, Chapin and his family uprooted from their home in New Jersey to Richmond, Va.. Here, he started seminary in 1997 at Union Theological Seminary & Presbyterian School of Christian Education, a seminary school in North Richmond. Finishing his seminary in 2000, Chapin answered his first call of service, serving at a church in Abingdon, Virginia. After serving there for six years, he answered another call, taking on his current role in 2006.

“It has been great being here so far. I feel very comfortable in the community and like the people a lot. We are a good fit together and the congregation is wonderful,” says Chapin. “It is a delight being here.”

Though Chapin may have taken a much less traditional path to the pulpit, his experiences have helped shape the way he is able to connect with his congregation.

“My experiences in law taught me how to think of things differently and give me insight into the nature of life’s challenges. Everyone has stuff going on in their lives and my experiences help when folks need help thinking through things,” says Chapin. “I think people are helped knowing that I’ve been out there.”

Members of his congregation certainly agree.

“Larry has been terrific as Senior Pastor. He brings a perspective to the pulpit that I haven’t seen before,” says Brennen Keene, a member of the church since 2000. “He has tangled at the high levels of being a lawyer and an equity trader, so he knows how to handle things.”

Although his role can sometimes be difficult, Chapin has never been one to walk away from a challenge.

“By nature, the work of the church is challenging. You have to get to know the congregation and let them get to know you. You have to work together and listen to each other,” says Chapin. “I just want to continue to help the church grow, help the congregation however I can, and serve God in the ways that I think I am supposed to. It’s a good place and I hope to stay here for a long while.”

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