Lezlie Pierce-Hopper Interviews the Johnsons
Click here for a photo gallery of the gathering
I first met Elaine and Orvie as their Deacon. Our daughter Lindsey as a one year old in a stroller and I walked over to their house for visits. They brightened our day then and have continued to do so for over twenty seven years.
Westminster Presbyterian Church (WPC) will celebrate their 60th anniversary this coming September and I sat down recently with these longtime members of WPC to talk about their history and memories. Elaine and Orvie Johnson will celebrate 70 years of marriage in July of this year but they actually met five years prior in Seattle. They have many stories to share and are still a pleasure to visit.
The Johnsons were members of the Albany Presbyterian Church when they came with twenty church members to celebrate the dedication of WPC. A year later Orvie’s job (U.S. Plywood/Champion) brought them to the Eugene area and they quickly transferred their membership to WPC. They shared wonderful memories about all four of the pastors that have served this congregation.
Soon after arriving, Elaine started working to develop our youth Sunday School. She recalled meetings with Central Presbyterian to gather ideas and information. Elaine retired as Church School Superintendent in February 1973. She has served as a Deacon twice at this church and began volunteering in the office in 1969. During all of her years contacting visitors to our church she recalls only two or three how did not find our church friendly on their first visit. She has volunteered with all of our church secretaries. Elaine and Orvie have ushered at every memorial service at WPC and continued to serve as substitute ushers for many years.
Orvie has served as an Elder four times, twice at WPC on the Building and Grounds Committee. Orvie was very involved with the construction of the Education wing. Many materials and lots of labor were donated by Orive and other church members. There were only two paid employees in the construction; one was paid ten dollars per hour and the other five dollars per hour. The construction of the building was financed by members who donated $1000 a piece, which was repaid at no interest within one year. Lloyd Milhollen took care of the paperwork.
The Boy Scout storage shed was also constructed with volunteer labor and materials, with the concrete being the only cost to the church. The Building and Grounds Committee was responsible for hiring 2 or 3 custodians during Orvie’s time on Session.
Orvie continues to enjoy the weekly Men’s Breakfast Group which he started attending with Pastor Chuck Willming in the early 1970s. There were thirteen in attendance last week. Orive thinks we have great volunteers now at our church. They are very capable and Orvie thinks changes at WPC are positive. He’s learned over the years to delegate work, step aside and let people do it. Gene Heinle said years ago, “Give Orvie a job and get out of his way.” He has, in turn, learned to practice this with others.
Elaine acknowledges we are a church that is friendly and welcoming, but notes that it’s easy to visit with people you know. Her philosophy is to look around each Sunday and be aware of new visitors and include them in your conversations.
Our WPC church family continues to be blessed by this lovely couple. Hugs and smiles abound. Thank you, Elaine and Orvie!