The native of Bridgetown, Virginia, was a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who appeared in 25 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers between 1957 and 1959.

After seven years in minor league baseball and one in military service, Churn was finally called up to the majors when he made the Pirates' pitching staff at the outset of the 1957 season.

After going unscored upon in his first three appearances coming out of the Los Angeles bullpen, Churn earned his first-ever victory in the major leagues on September 2, 1959, when the Dodgers defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 9–6.

On the season's final day, Sunday, September 27, 1959, the Dodgers and Braves finished in flat-footed tie at 86–68, necessitating a best-of-three tie-breaker series to resolve the deadlock.

He retired pinch hitter Enos Slaughter to quell the threat, but then surrendered what appeared to be an insurance run to Milwaukee in the eighth inning.

Along with the five decisions and the save he posted for the Dodgers that season, he ended his career with 32 strikeouts in 47+2⁄3 total innings pitched, allowing 49 hits and 19 bases on balls.

Churn pitched full-time in the minor leagues through 1962, then became a playing coach and player-manager in the Houston Astros' farm system through 1967.