JOHNSTON – Harmony United Methodist Church celebrated their 175th Anniversary in a very special service Sunday, Oct. 25th including bringing home former pastors and former members to a church sanctuary beaming with happy memories and wonderful music. 

The church is still very beautiful, located on 94 Bouknight Road, Johnston.
           
In the line up of former pastors, the Reverend George Strait, now of Greer, S.C. came home for this special event. He served at Harmony and Johnston United Methodist Church from 1965-1970 following the death of the Reverend Clyde Brooks. The Reverend and Mrs. George (Harriett) Strait enjoyed fellowshipping with members and former members of Harmony.  They were also greeted by folks that he had performed wedding ceremonies for and folks that he had Christened.
           
The Reverend Paul Frey was in the service with his usual antics of telling his fish stories from Big John Herlong’s pond to the stories of bubble bees in the alter flowers. Everyone remembered right on along with him as he told many stories on Big John including the Adam and Eve scenario. The Reverend and Mrs. Paul (Ruth Anne ) Frey enjoyed fellowshipping with old and new friends.  They reside in Anderson, S.C.

The Reverend Becky Shirley, current pastor of Harmony United Methodist and Johnston United Methodist Church was a gracious hostess to the overflow crowd.  The service began at 9:15 am and lasted past 11:15 am. It concluded in the church cemetery as the Reverends Becky Shirley, Paul Frey and George Strait honored the memory of the former pastors buried in the church cemetery. 

The first grave they visited with a Christian flag and a wreath was Bishop Smith, then on to the Rev. Mims, and Rev. Smith, Rev. Brooks and the grave of Harmon Gallman who donated the land for the church many years ago.

After they visited the graves of the former ministers, the crowd gathered in the Fellowship Hall for a wonderful feast and more memories being relived as they prepared the information for the time capsule.

Among some of the memories expressed by members were: ‘The yearly fascinating performances of the dance of a wasp,” “the gathering and lingering after worship services;” “Harmony means family, lasting friendships, community…that warm fuzzy feeling;” “No matter what milestones, trials or tribulations I’ve always experienced in my life, I’ve always known that the people of Harmony loved me unconditionally;” “Harmony is home, Harmony is family, Harmony is hope.”