.:: Saints: Blanche Martin ::.
Grace (Odle) Morehouse
by Mary (Odle) Fagan
My history with Mt. Zion began in 1952.
It was the year I entered 4th grade at Klondike. My teacher, Mrs. Harriman, was also a member. And the art teacher, Mrs. Robbins, is the one who painted the iconic picture of Jesus in the garden that hangs behind the altar to this day.
The tornado in 1954, by the way, sent the steeple through one of our trees like a tomahawk missile. Dad said God was simply reshaping it with our initial: “O” for Odle.
Those were formative years for me, and I have so many people to thank for their guidance. It was a large and thriving congregation. We had a full choir, active youth groups, a WSCS, a men's dart-ball team (no, I don't remember what that was), and regular family nights, pitch-ins, pot-lucks, pancake suppers, Easter sunrise services and breakfasts definitely kept me busy with all things Godly!
Now let's see how many names I can remember. No doubt I shall misspell a few.
The ministers: Rev. John Hoadley, followed by Rev. James King.
Harold Byers (husband to Marie Byers and grandfather to Gretchen Bollhoefer), my Sunday School teacher; a quiet, caring, thought-provoking man who got us to all sides of a topic with probing questions.
Mauri Williamson, a steady presence on youth group outings for, as he put it: “disciplinary measures.”
Ross and Blanche Martin, choir director and pianist (respectively) who patiently got us through some rather challenging anthems. Since Sarah and I were on their way to the church, they would pick us up for Thursday night choir practices. Lots of great memories there!
Then there were the parents of our compatriots: The Aurells, Steeleys, Ingrams, Verhovens, Wilsons, and Weises. Fellow choir members: George and Ellen Byers, Ruth and Tonia Anderson, Jean Rawlse, Gloria Weise, Mary and Margaret Aurell, Verma Steeley and more, of course, but memory fails me. I remember their faces, though!
We moved away in 1956, and the years passed. Mother moved back in the late 60's; several years after my father's death. She resumed membership in Mt. Zion and was active here nearly to her death in 2007.
I briefly returned to the fold myself in the year 2000. Living in the folks' apartment, I met more memorable Mt. Zionites:
Then I returned to Texas and more years passed. During this time, however, I was in constant touch with the Sell's and Epperson's. They were such a blessing to the folks, and such a relief to me living 1200 miles away. Stan Sell ended up handling everything.
Then, in 2008, I was back. Mother passed away Dec. 29, 2007, leaving me with more details and lists of her wishes than I knew what to do with. How would I find all those hymns from hymnal editions dating back to 1936? Ellen Byers and Mary Epperson found them. Not only found them, but played them. How would I get service leaflets designed and printed? Mary Epperson saved the day. Big time.
Then David Glassford approached my sister and me, volunteering to produce a slideshow of Mother's life. He worked long and hard to scan and enhance those aged and faded photographs. Meanwhile, the rest of the church family pitched in to fix refreshments and set up for the crowd that came to the service. Rev. Elder was there for us, conducting the service smoothly and empathetically. I can never adequately express my gratitude to all these saints of Mt. Zion.
I remain in touch with Vera and Mary Epperson exchanging emails every once in a while. And I am very fortunate to have Mary Sell applying her talents as editor and proofreader of my books.
Yes, the people of Mt. Zion have always been, and continue to be, a key influence in my life.
It was the year I entered 4th grade at Klondike. My teacher, Mrs. Harriman, was also a member. And the art teacher, Mrs. Robbins, is the one who painted the iconic picture of Jesus in the garden that hangs behind the altar to this day.
The tornado in 1954, by the way, sent the steeple through one of our trees like a tomahawk missile. Dad said God was simply reshaping it with our initial: “O” for Odle.
Those were formative years for me, and I have so many people to thank for their guidance. It was a large and thriving congregation. We had a full choir, active youth groups, a WSCS, a men's dart-ball team (no, I don't remember what that was), and regular family nights, pitch-ins, pot-lucks, pancake suppers, Easter sunrise services and breakfasts definitely kept me busy with all things Godly!
Now let's see how many names I can remember. No doubt I shall misspell a few.
The ministers: Rev. John Hoadley, followed by Rev. James King.
Harold Byers (husband to Marie Byers and grandfather to Gretchen Bollhoefer), my Sunday School teacher; a quiet, caring, thought-provoking man who got us to all sides of a topic with probing questions.
Mauri Williamson, a steady presence on youth group outings for, as he put it: “disciplinary measures.”
Ross and Blanche Martin, choir director and pianist (respectively) who patiently got us through some rather challenging anthems. Since Sarah and I were on their way to the church, they would pick us up for Thursday night choir practices. Lots of great memories there!
Then there were the parents of our compatriots: The Aurells, Steeleys, Ingrams, Verhovens, Wilsons, and Weises. Fellow choir members: George and Ellen Byers, Ruth and Tonia Anderson, Jean Rawlse, Gloria Weise, Mary and Margaret Aurell, Verma Steeley and more, of course, but memory fails me. I remember their faces, though!
We moved away in 1956, and the years passed. Mother moved back in the late 60's; several years after my father's death. She resumed membership in Mt. Zion and was active here nearly to her death in 2007.
I briefly returned to the fold myself in the year 2000. Living in the folks' apartment, I met more memorable Mt. Zionites:
- Keith and Sandra Allen, with whom I was involved in all sorts of projects.
- Stan and Mary Sell, who proved invaluable both with the folks and me personally.
- Mary Wilson, who inspired a Bible study group that meant a lot to me.
- Sheila Pusey, a talented gal who was always ready with an idea.
- Teresa Monical, a lady with warm and welcoming ways.
Then I returned to Texas and more years passed. During this time, however, I was in constant touch with the Sell's and Epperson's. They were such a blessing to the folks, and such a relief to me living 1200 miles away. Stan Sell ended up handling everything.
Then, in 2008, I was back. Mother passed away Dec. 29, 2007, leaving me with more details and lists of her wishes than I knew what to do with. How would I find all those hymns from hymnal editions dating back to 1936? Ellen Byers and Mary Epperson found them. Not only found them, but played them. How would I get service leaflets designed and printed? Mary Epperson saved the day. Big time.
Then David Glassford approached my sister and me, volunteering to produce a slideshow of Mother's life. He worked long and hard to scan and enhance those aged and faded photographs. Meanwhile, the rest of the church family pitched in to fix refreshments and set up for the crowd that came to the service. Rev. Elder was there for us, conducting the service smoothly and empathetically. I can never adequately express my gratitude to all these saints of Mt. Zion.
I remain in touch with Vera and Mary Epperson exchanging emails every once in a while. And I am very fortunate to have Mary Sell applying her talents as editor and proofreader of my books.
Yes, the people of Mt. Zion have always been, and continue to be, a key influence in my life.