Parishoners reunite in honor of First Christian

LEBANON — Members past and present gathered here Saturday at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to celebrate its 100th anniversary.

Worshippers recounted their happy memories of the church and then had a potluck feast that included fried chicken, salads, rolls and desserts.

Former interim pastor Max Glenn, now of Yachats, recalled how he had worked to get a new sound system for the church. He recalled that the first day he used the new system, he forgot that he was wired for sound. So after he exited the service to use the restroom, he returned to snickering in the pews.

“Everyone had heard what happened in there,” he said.

Pastors have since found the mute button. “Thanks be to God!” someone shouted.

Cathy Myers Wirt, who is the church’s regional director in Portland, recalled being invited to a Halloween party at the church when she was in high school in 1974. She’d decided to come as a witch and had painted her face green with food coloring.

But the color wouldn’t come off when the holiday was over, and she was tinted chartreuse for a month, reminded of the party and the church every time she looked in a mirror.

“So I like think this church got under my skin,” she said, to audience laughter.

Marciel Gilmore of Lebanon proudly announced her grandchildren are the seventh generation of her family to attend the church.

“We’ve had so many weddings and funerals in this building,” she said. “I am thankful it has been here in those times.”

Pastor Neal Allen closed the ceremony in prayer.

“Thank you for 100 years of blessings,” he said.