3 David Antion says Christians know all about how to overcome death 3 John Adkins responds to Herb Solinsky’s views on the sacred names 4 The history of the church in Big TheJournal Sandy interviews Dorothy Williams 24 The PCG of Edmond, Okla., buys a News of the Churches of God mansion for its U.K. headquarters Vol. XVIII, No. 10 Founded 1997 Issue No. 167 (Nov. 30, 2014)

Feasts in Oregon and Texas Read this issue helped shape RCG history for history The following is an update of an In this article we focus on what lesson No. 2 article that appeared in issue No. 67 Sabbath and Feast services were like IG SANDY, Texas—JOURNAL of THE JOURNAL, dated Aug. 30, 2002. in those early days and the chal- writer John Warren is hot on This article is the second in a series. lenges that confronted church mem- Bthe history trail again. bers. The focus of his second monthly By John Warren Several people who attended fes- installment is IG SANDY, Texas—Last tival and church services in the a little softer. month we wrote about the 1940s and ’50s provided THE JOUR- Much of the Bgrowth of the Radio Church NAL with their remembrances for this narrative of God in East article in interviews in 2002. does concern Texas from its Buck Hammer of Gladewater, the Big Sandy beginnings in who died in 2003, remembered the area, but this the early 1950s first church service on the property time the anec- up until the two miles east of Big Sandy on U.S. dotes and pho- tos also come early 1970s. Highway 80. This was in 1952 dur- from Oregon, We chroni- ing the spring feast, with services California Dorothy Williams cled the church that year taking place at the Hammer and England. in 1978 in this area be- home near Gladewater. Prominent ginning with After discussions with Mr. Arm- Happy Feast 2014 in this month’s installment are two the 13 people strong, founder of what was then more COG members with good who observed Buck Hammer called the Radio Church of God, memories Mr. Warren interviewed that first Pass- about the need for a larger facility for 2014 FEAST IN FLORIDA—Friends and relatives attended many Feast of Tabernacles several years ago: Dorothy Williams over and Days of Unleavened Bread observing the Feast of Tabernacles sites in October. In this photo Pam Kurr of Mounds, Okla. (left), enjoys a Feast observance in and Ken Swisher. And Buck Ham- at the Roy Hammer residence near later that year, a group traveled from Destin, Fla., sponsored by the Church of God Big Sandy with her daughter Brandi Cartwright mer’s remembrances are back. Gladewater in 1951. Gladewater to the unimproved Big of Nacogdoches, Texas, grandson Cater of Nacogdoches (right) and granddaughter Cara of See the photos on this page and We saw the founding of Imperial Sandy property one afternoon during Nashville, Tenn. See Feast reports and photos from readers beginning on this page of THE pages 4-5. The article begins at left Schools near Big Sandy in 1954 and the Days of Unleavened Bread. JOURNAL. [Photo by Dixon Cartwright] on this page. the opening on the same property of Compared with services in later Ambassador College in 1964. years in air-conditioned buildings, that first meeting was rather primitive. Under the spreading oak tree “Mr. Armstrong stood under an Dwight Armstrong’s daughter is releasing her The college campus at Big Sandy oak tree,” remembered Mr. Ham- had a major impact on church growth mer. “There was sort of a natural in East Texas, but an earlier major amphitheater on a hillside near the father’s unpublished hymns into public domain factor was Radio/Worldwide Church spring [a spring near the site on of God founder Herbert W. Arm- which Mr. Armstrong would later By Edward Malone father’s unpublished hymns. “He made freely available to all of the strong’s decision in 1952 to develop oversee the construction of the eborah L. Armstrong of Spo- [Dwight Armstrong] had a number of tribes of WCG, especially since, as I the church property as a Feast of Redwood Building]. The audience kane, Wash., daughter of them.” understand, there is some disagree- Tabernacles site for the fall of 1953. Worldwide Church of God ment as to which of these groups is See FEASTS IN OREGON, page 4 D Public domain (WCG) hymn writer Dwight Arm- God’s chosen. strong, recently announced her plans In a series of E-mail messages to “I believe we are all equal in the to place her late father’s unpublished this writer for THE JOURNAL on Oct. 29 eyes of God or the universe or what- hymns into the public domain. and 30, 2014, Ms. Armstrong clarified ever you choose to believe in, so my THE JOURNAL had previously heard the matter, stating that although PCG father’s hymns should be a gift for all Feast reports in from Jamaica, that Ms. Armstrong would donate the music director Ryan Malone (no rela- of creation to enjoy.” hymns to the Philadelphia Church of tion to this article’s writer) had her God, based in Oklahoma. father’s music in his possession and Through the Internet Arroyo Grande and more was currently attaching lyrics to them, According to Ms. Armstrong, her More than 20 unpublished hymns the previously unpublished works father’s hymns will soon be released east of Tabernacles reports witnessed the baptisms of their twin In a December 2013 online inter- would be released into the public do- and be available for interested persons sent in by readers of THE sons Jody and Cody. Pastor Smith view for the Secular Safe House pod- main for use and enjoyment of anyone, to see on the Internet. F JOURNAL begin below for had the rare but undoubtedly delight- cast, Ms. Armstrong stated she had in including all of the Churches of God. Concerning the titles of the forth- Feast 2014. Many, but not all, 2014 ful privilege—alongside Pastor Boyne her possession more than 20 of her “In my earlier discussions with coming hymns or any samples of observances started on the evening —of baptizing his own sons. father’s unreleased hymns and that she PCG, one of the conditions I gave them, Ms. Armstrong said that she of Oct. 8 and ran through Oct. 16. Two Feast sites had intended to donate all of them to them was that my father’s hymns could not provide any samples until You’re invited to send your Feast the Edmond, Okla.-based Philadelphia must remain in the public domain and she met with her attorney. report for THE JOURNAL at info@ Such has been the dynamism of Church of God (PCG) in consideration not be copyrighted, so really I never “I will be putting scans of my thejournal.org or P.O. Box 1020, Big the CGI Jamaican work that, for the of that church’s requests for them. intended to give the hymns to just one father’s hymns online soon,” stated Sandy, Texas 75755, U.S.A. first time, the island officially held “[The Philadelphia Church] had group,” pointed out Ms. Armstrong. Ms. Armstrong. “Once they are two separate Feast sites. The north- BEST-EVER FEAST IN JAMAICA long ago asked me for them,” ex- “I think that since the WCG, which scanned and online, I will edit my ern coastal resort town of Ocho Rios plained Ms. Armstrong to podcast my father was a member of, is now father’s Wikipedia page and place a INGSTON, Jamaica—The dy- hosted the main group, presided host Troy Fitzgerald concerning her defunct, that the hymns should be See PUBLIC-DOMAIN, page 22 Knamic Jamaican Church of God over by Pastor Boyne, which num- International (CGI) work held to its bered 355 at the capacity-full Casa steady growth pattern as this year de Shalom meeting hall. 442 persons attended the Feast of Ministerial Apprenticeship Pro- Tabernacles in the tropical Carib- gramme (MAP) candidate and lead- CGI Jamaica names Pasadena reunion won’t bean island. er of the Spanish Town CGI congre- The Jamaican work, spearheaded gation Pedro Hall presided over the winner of HWA contest turn anyone away by 42-year Church of God veteran second site, which hosted 87 per- pastor Ian Boyne, also added eight sons in the historic town of Morant INGSTON, Jamaica—Church of God Inter- ASADENA, Calif.—Anyone who wants to at- national Jamaica pastor Ian Boyne announced tend the reunion of Ambassador College students newly baptized members on the Last Bay, capital of the southeastern who studied on the Pasadena campus from 1947 parish of St. Thomas. the winner of his congregations’ annual Her- P Great Day. K to 1977 are welcome, say organizers Bob Gerringer Mr. Hall was supported in his bert W. Armstrong Memorial Speaking Competition at Canadian contingent and Cledice Decker. Feast work by Pastor Smith and his the Feast of Tabernacles in October 2014. THE JOURNAL had asked the two AC alumni if the re- It was an exciting and enriching Toronto copastor George Ramocan, CGI member Stephen Scale “upstaged the favorites union would welcome, for example, former students at Feast, with a refreshing international who serves as Mr. Hall’s MAP spon- and walked away with the coveted HWA trophy to Big Sandy and Bricket Wood, if they wanted to attend. flavor, as 18 Canadians, led by sor. (There was one baptism at this wild applause from the crowd,” announced CGI elder “Our reunion is for students from the first 30 years Jamaican-born Toronto pastor Ho- site.) Glenford Smith. at Pasadena,” Mr. Gerringer said. “However, if any The exuberant praise and wor- Pastor Boyne, in commenting on the results, also Pasadena student from outside of that period or any rane Smith, shared in the Jamaican former Big Sandy or Bricket Wood students or any for- Tabernacles experience. ship, led by deacon Chris Hendricks, mentioned that this year’s competition for the first time included a non-Jamaican participant, Courtney Scarlett mer AC Pasadena employee would really like to Visitors from the United States was complemented by a variety of attend, they need only ask.” also enhanced the fellowship. special items of music, dance, poet- of Canada. To ask, check in with Mr. Gerringer, Ms. Decker or It was an especially moving and ry and dramatic presentations through- The theme of this year’s event: “Why the Doctrine Jean Updegraff at [email protected], memorable occasion for Pastor out the festival. of the Immortal Soul Is False.” [email protected] or [email protected]. Smith and his wife, Beverly, as they See REPORTS IN, page 6 See also CGI Jamaica’s Feast report beginning on See more information about the reunion in “Notes page 1 of this issue of THE JOURNAL. and Quotes” on page 24 of this issue of THE JOURNAL. 4 THE JOURNAL Issue No. 167 (Nov. 30, 2014) Feasts in Oregon and East Texas set pace for early RCG Continued from page 1 Antion] helped, and a lot of people sat on the ground. It wasn’t a real donated books.” sermon; it was more like he was Readers of last month’s church- talking about the work [of the history article in THE JOURNAL will church].” remember that Imperial Schools Mr. Hammer didn’t remember all opened in Big Sandy in 1954, with who were there, but he did remember the Redwood Building providing that Joe and Dorothy Williams and classrooms and a library for the ele- Wid Boyce sat in the group. mentary and high school. Mr. Armstrong conducted the Mr. and Mrs. Friddle served the Passover service itself and most Big Sandy church from 1955 until daily meetings at the Hammer house June 1957. back at Gladewater. Minnie Humphreys of Mineola, Unordained pastor Texas, was one of those in atten- On a 40th-anniversary videotape dance. produced for the Big Sandy congre- Mr. Armstrong baptized Mrs. Hum- gation of the Worldwide Church of phreys and her husband, Roy (who THE CHURCH IN HISTORY—Left photo: God in 1993, Mr. Friddle remi- died in 1975), along with Freia Radio Church of God founder Herbert W. Arm- nisced. Friddle (who became Freia Smith) strong stands with members of an Ambassador “After Marjorie and I were mar- shortly after the spring festival. The College Bible class in Pasadena in 1949. Pictured ried,” he said, “we were sent to our baptism took place in Big Sandy Lake are (from left) Betty Bates, Raymond McNair, first pastorate of the Radio Church of (which was also sometimes called Kenneth Herrmann, Mr. Armstrong, Herman God in Gladewater, Texas. I had Evermans’ Lake) on June 21, 1952. Hoeh and Marion McNair. Above photo: Dwight quite a shock when we arrived in Mrs. Humphreys described how, relaxed. Like many other Church of strong saw the need for Armstrong and Beverly Battles (later Beverly Gladewater. Mr. Raymond Cole after listening to Mr. Armstrong on God old-timers, Mrs. Williams re- a tabernacle building Swisher, wife of Ken) attend the yearly faculty broke me in quickly as he assigned his radio broadcast, he put the Hum- membered something else about that would serve the reception at Ambassador College in 1952. [Left me to give the Bible study and the phreyses in contact with Roy and church and festival services in those entire church, so he de- photo by Bill Homberger, courtesy Dorothy sermon on the Sabbath the first week Pearl Hammer in Texas. days. cided to construct a Williams; above photo courtesy Doris Cole] we arrived.” “We were tithing to the Radio “I just know they were long,” she building on the property Mr. Cole assisted Mr. Friddle on Church of God and Mr. Armstrong said. “We had services in the morn- that would hold the total one church-member visit, “then I wrote us a letter inviting us to con- ing and again in the afternoon. They church membership at the spring and it came whistling through.” was on my own, fresh out of college tact the Hammers,” said Mrs. just went on and on and on. I’m not fall festivals. Mr. Hammer specifically remem- and green as grass.” Humphreys. “We called over there complaining because we learned a Some who attended that first Feast bered one speaker with obviously Mr. Friddle worked under Mr. and Mrs. Hammer invited us to lot of truth. It was the truth then, it is of Tabernacles after the construction healthy lungs. Lochner at Imperial for part of each come for a visit. We went there on the truth today, and it will be the of the Redwood Building have vivid “Preaching had been going on for workday and as church pastor for the the Sabbath, and the house was filled truth when Christ returns. We memories of that observance. Be- about two hours one afternoon and rest of the time. with people.” learned about salvation.” cause the Quonset-hut-style struc- the minister said, ‘And in closing,’ “Mr. Cole left me to pastor the Mrs. Humphreys described those Mrs. Williams, who grew up as a ture did not have walls on the end and went another 45 minutes. church, but as yet I was not or- early Sabbath meetings: Baptist, remembered begging Mr. and no heated or refrigerated air, the “I decided to run to pick up the dained.” “The Hammers had been out there Armstrong to baptize her. attendees were exposed to the ele- meat for the evening meal. I had the Mr. Hammer remembered that [to Pasadena], so we would ask them “I just wanted to be sure,” she ments. meat at the locker plant in Glade- with the rapid growth of the Radio a lot of questions. There was no said. “But Mr. Armstrong said, ‘No, That fall the elements brought water. I went and got back and he Church of God in the 1950s and preaching at that time. Roy Hammer you’ve already been immersed.’ He frigid temperatures. was still preaching. He said, ‘And in 1960s came a desperate shortage of would just talk to us. We would ask ministers. him a lot of questions.” “In those days,” he said, “it was Dorothy Williams of Big Sandy Mrs. Williams, who grew up as a Baptist, remembered get them graduated, get them mar- recited her memories of coming into ried, give them a car, give them a contact with the Radio Church of begging Mr. Armstrong to baptize her. ‘I just wanted to be church, and go get ’em, boys.” God. At the time she and her hus- Half and half band, Joe, and their four children sure,’ she said. But Mr. Armstrong said no. lived near Temple, Texas. After lis- The next pastor to arrive in the tening to Mr. Armstrong on the area was David Jon Hill, who served radio, Mrs. Williams wrote to church never rebaptized me, but he did lay “We would take our army blan- closing,’ and went another 30 min- here for a short time. headquarters. hands on me in 1949.” kets with us and we would all wrap utes. Kenneth Swisher, who replaced “I would bombard Mrs. Arm- up,” Mrs. Humphreys said. “We “Miss Lola was sitting on the Mr. Hill in 1957, told THE JOURNAL: strong with questions,” Mrs. Wil- ‘We went berserk’ would almost freeze.” back row. She stood up and said, ‘. . . “Jon Hill came in temporarily liams, who was 84 at the time of this In 1952 the Williamses heard On another occasion “we lost elec- Someone is going to have to choke after Jimmy Friddle transferred out. interview, told THE JOURNAL. from Mr. Armstrong of his plans to tricity, and the lights went out while him off!’ I thought that was pretty He pastored and taught at Imperial She also requested a visit from start a congregation at the Hammer Mr. Armstrong was preaching so funny.” School. I was sent here in 1957, and church representatives, and in the residence near Gladewater. They everyone took their chairs outside in First pastor this was the last place a minister summer of 1949 two young men trav- moved from Temple to Big Sandy in the sun and Mr. Armstrong finished wanted to come. There were prob- eled from Southern California to the January 1953 so they could be near speaking without a microphone.” Mrs. Williams told about the first lems here. Half the congregation Williams home in Temple for a visit. other church members and attend Mrs. Humphreys, who died at age pastor, Marion McNair, to serve in was for Marion McNair, and the “Raymond Cole and Raymond what was to become known as the other half wasn’t.” McNair came to our house way out Big Sandy congregation. Mr. Swisher at the time of this in the country,” she remembered. “Marion and DeLoyce McNair interview was living in retirement in “We kept them up until 3 in the came first,” she said. “They were Tyler after serving in the ministry of morning asking questions, so they also the first teachers at Imperial. the Radio and Worldwide Church of spent the night. We made a pallet for The [Floyd] Lochners came after the God until 1996. them on the porch.” McNairs.” Mr. Swisher remembered Guy The Williamses were farmers who In 1952, at the second Passover at Carnes coming to Big Sandy the raised hogs and chickens. Like many the Hammer home, among those in same year he arrived to begin serv- rural people in the 1940s, their house attendance were two young native ing as principal at Imperial. had no electricity or plumbing. East Texans, James “Jimmy” Friddle Mr. Lochner returned to Pasa- During the Pasadena men’s visit, and Dean Blackwell. dena, where he continued to serve as they encouraged Mrs. Williams to “They got recruited to attend Am- superintendent of schools for the attend the Feast of Tabernacles at the bassador,” remembered Mr. Ham- California and Texas Imperial cam- RCG’s only Feast site, at Belknap mer. puses. Springs, Ore. After their tenure at AC, both men Mr. Swisher enrolled in Ambas- Her husband was still a smoker at returned to East Texas and served sador College after his discharge the time, so the church representa- CHURCH HISTORIANS—Three East Texans who were early Radio Church the congregation they first attended. from the U.S. Army in August 1952. tives did not think he was ready to of God members in the Big Sandy area were (from left) Dorothy Williams of “The first one they sent from Pasa- He had served his country as a radio attend that Feast. She made the trip Big Sandy, Ken Swisher of Tyler and Buck Hammer of Gladewater. All three in dena [to Big Sandy] was Marion technician in Korea. He attended his by train from San Antonio, Texas, to 2002 provided the writer with historic information for the article on these pages. McNair,” said Mr. Hammer. “That first Feast of Tabernacles at the Big Los Angeles. For a picture of Mrs. Williams from the 1970s, see page 1. [Photos by Dixon summer they sent Dean Blackwell as Sandy site that same fall. Little did “I had never been out of the Cartwright and John Warren] an assistant while he was still a stu- he know that five years later, after state,” she said. dent at Ambassador. Boy, did we get his graduation, he would return as Mrs. Williams, who died in 2005, weekly services. 91 in 2002, remembered a some- the scriptures. He didn’t say much church pastor. remembered the breathtakingingly Mrs. Williams recalled her excite- times-grueling schedule. that wasn’t straight out of the Although he had taught at Im- beautiful Feast site at Belknap ment at the prospect. “All through all eight days we had Scripture. I don’t think he stayed but perial in Pasadena, Mr. Swisher did Springs overlooking the majestic “We heard Mr. Armstrong say two services. Everyone was worn through the summertime.” not teach when he came to Big McKenzie River. there was going to be a church here. out by the end of the day.” Later replacing Mr. McNair as Sandy. The Radio Church of God We went berserk. We were so Big Sandy pastor was Raymond was growing so rapidly he was busy Living waters thrilled to have a church. We just got Learning something new Cole. Raymond and Myra Cole serving the scattered brethren across “Where church services were held up and moved up here.” Mr. Hammer also remembered the served the congregation for a short Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missis- you could look out on the river,” she Mr. Williams went to work on the long services. time, said Mr. Hammer, and were sippi and even states further east. said. “It was just so beautiful.” campus in the summer of 1953 help- “During those days we were hav- replaced by James and Marjorie “We were the easternmost church A fond memory for Mrs. Williams ing to clear the property up. ing some services go four hours,” he Friddle in September 1955. at that time,” he remembered. “If was seeing a young mother, Anne The fledging congregation met at said. “It was a little different then Wayne Cole, now of Tyler, Texas, someone east of Big Sandy needed a Elliott, holding her baby in a rocking the Hammers’ until Mr. Armstrong because we were learning something younger brother of the second pas- minister, I was the closest one.” chair during services. had the Redwood Building built. new. We were meeting in the Red- tor, told THE JOURNAL: Mr. Swisher was a “local elder,” “Things were a lot more informal The little group wanted a small wood Building and the ends were “When Raymond was here he did the lowest ministerial rank, during then,” said Mrs. Williams. “There building that would meet the needs still open. We put tar paper on the a lot of work to develop the library. his early assignments. was nothing disrespectful, just more of the local members. Mr. Arm- ends to try to slow the wind down as Molly Hammer [now Mrs. David See ELDERS WENT, page 5 Issue No. 167 (Nov. 30, 2014) THE JOURNAL 5 Elders went to jail after close encounter with grumpy lawmen Continued from page 4 Mr. Swisher did “All I had to do was look at their That changed suddenly when a what he could to wives,” said Mr. Hammer. situation arose in which the church make ends meet in As many will remember, the officially decided that a pregnant but East Texas. One Radio Church of God and World- unmarried young woman from Kil- thing he did was wide Church of God banned wom- gore, 20 miles from Big Sandy, work on his own en’s cosmetics in the 1950s and should get married. car. 1960s (and during a separate span in After consulting with Mr. Arm- “We had a the 1970s). strong and Mr. Cole about the situa- church member in Before Mr. Armstrong’s makeup tion, Mr. Cole told Mr. Swisher to Canton, Texas, decision, said Mr. Hammer, a local perform the wedding. Mr. Leon Pierce, minister “didn’t know what he would “I told them I couldn’t do the who had a ga- be preaching from one week to the wedding because it would not be rage,” he said. next. We never knew if we’ve got legal,” said Mr. Swisher. “Mr. Arm- “He told everyone makeup, it’s okay, or if it was all off.” strong said, ‘What? We sent him he came in contact Another issue was fashion of down there as pastor and he’s not with about the clothes, especially women’s. church. Melven ordained?’ That is how I got or- Darned if you do dained as a preaching elder.” Allen was work- ing for him at that “We had a deal about women Juneteenth, a Texas tradition MEMORIES—Left photo: Eva Arm- time. wearing slacks after Mr. Swisher Mr. Swisher drove a red and white strong, mother of Radio Church of God (Mr. Allen, who came,” said Mr. Hammer. “This had ’54 Pontiac he had bought from founder Herbert W. Armstrong, poses now lives in Big to do with women wanting to dress Marvin Lindsey in Pasadena to his with church member Eddie Eckert in Sandy, worked for like men.” new job assignment. He remembered the late 1950s in Pasadena, where the many years in the In one service Mr. Hammer re- needing to have some work done on local congregation met for Sabbath ser- transportation membered Mr. Swisher talking the car, so he took it to the J.O. Wil- vices for many years. Above photo: department at Am- about women who wore “shorts.” “He said, ‘Some of you are too liams dealership in Gladewater. the street, and we had to protect our and when Buck Wayne and Doris Cole work in the bassador in Big “Mr. Williams said we can’t work church members. We had to be wise flushed his it Sandy.) fat, so you don’t look good and on your car today; this is June- as serpents and harmless as doves.” would come kitchen at the Feast of Tabernacles site “I went over ought not to be doing that,’ ” Mr. teenth,” Mr. Swisher said. “I didn’t Church members who attended up in mine.” at Siegler Springs, Calif., in 1952. there one day and Hammer remembered Mr. Swisher know what that was, and he said to Feast of Tabernacles observances at Mr. Ham- [Photos courtesy Doris Cole] was under my car saying. “ ‘Some of you are so skinny me, ‘You’re a damn Yankee, aren’t Big Sandy in the old days will re- mer also re- when Mr. Allen that you don’t look good in them. you’?” member that in the first metal taber- membered. came in,” said Mr. Swisher. “All he Some of you really look good in Juneteenth is June 19, the anniver- nacle building and in the big tent “That jail had problems,” he said. saw was my feet. After I slid out them and you definitely shouldn’t be sary of the day on which slaves in until 1968 ushers would designate “They brought us food on trays that from under the car Mr. Pierce said, wearing them.’ ” Texas after the American Civil War separate sections of folding chairs looked like they had fed dogs with. I ‘I’d like for you to meet our pastor.’ Even though Mr. Hammer re- learned of President Abraham for black church members. In the decided to fast. I didn’t eat anything Mr. Allen almost passed out. He membered humorous and some Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclama- Piney Woods campground on the while I was there.” didn’t expect a pastor to be working would say ridiculous events and deci- tion. Mr. Swisher, having grown up church property, the captains of 10 Both men said they thought more on his own car.” sions, he was thankful, he said, for all in Illinois, had never heard of and captains of 100, etc., would was going on than met the eye. They Dorothy Williams, whose hus- he learned during the early years. Juneteenth. reserve separate sections for the sensed what they described later as band, Joe, was a church employee, “Most of us didn’t know much, Many people who remember the black brethren. religious animosity and jealousy in could remember those lean days as but I think we knew enough to real- 1950s and 1960s will recall the sepa- that and other situations. well. ize this [the Radio Church of God] rate white and black cultures of those In the jailhouse then “The judge was a Church of was the right way.” days. Mr. Swisher remembered three Events in the church in the early Christ minister and he hated us with Weeks without pay The church’s message included restrooms (marked “Men,” “Wom- days of Big Sandy conspired at one a purple passion,” said Mr. Swisher. “We went for weeks without a freely given advice on health mat- en” and “Colored”) in every gas sta- point to land Mr. Swisher and Mr. paycheck,” she said. “We owed ters, including specifics of diet, such tion and two water fountains (desig- Hammer in the local clink. Pardon his French every ma-and-pa store in the area. If as a general prohibition on white nated “White” and “Colored”). “Some woman from Louisiana Since Upshur County, including it hadn’t been for Buck [Hammer], I bread and white sugar. Mr. Swisher mentioned the diffi- came here, obviously against her Big Sandy, was “dry”—that is, al- don’t think we would have made it. “We learned a lot, and back then culty of visiting with black Radio we didn’t have many people sick,” Church of God members in their said Mr. Hammer. “I remember the homes. With the concerted efforts of Mr. Hammer and an attorney, first man who died. I didn’t think Because of sensitivities in East anyone in the church was going to Texas concerning anything to do the sheriff released Mr. Hammer, Mr. Harmon and die, and for a lot of years nobody with race, “when I visited black did,” but “then a man out in New brethren, I wanted a black minister Mr. Swisher from custody that night. Mexico had a heart attack and died.” to go with me,” he said. Mr. Hammer said that because “I asked Harold Jackson [a black husband’s will, to observe the cohol sales and consumption were We eventually did get paid, but we church members “knew we were the RCG pastor] to come down from Feast,” explained Mr. Swisher. “He prohibited by law—Mr. Swisher were very thankful for all the gro- temple of the Holy Spirit” they Chicago and we would visit all the showed up during the Feast with a would seek permission from the cery stores that gave us credit.” wanted to “take care” of the temple black brethren.” Louisiana deputy sheriff” looking U.S. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Mr. Hammer raised cattle, had a by eating to stay healthy. But racial sensitivities even for the man’s wife. Commission (ATF) to serve wine at greenhouse and raised tomatoes and One-man ministry meant a white person could get in But “I wouldn’t help them locate Passover services and on the Night other vegetables. As many old- trouble with local law enforcers if his wife,” and “I didn’t know where to Be Much Observed. timers will recall, the church operat- Myra Cole of Eugene, Ore., wid- he were seen riding in a car with a the woman was camping,” said Mr. Mr. Swisher would make sure the ed a farm on its property that predat- ow of Raymond Cole (who died in black person. Swisher. “This was the spring holy ATF paperwork was in order each ed the opening of the college. September 2001), talked to this So “we hatched this plan that Mr. days, and we were not as organized year before the observances. The farm developed to include a writer of some of her memories of Jackson would drive and act like the for the spring feast as we were for An ATF officer confided in Mr. dairy operation, beef cattle, and fruit, the early days in Big Sandy. chauffeur and I would sit in the back the Feast of Tabernacles.” Swisher one year that local law vegetable, egg and forage produc- “What services were like depend- seat,” said Mr. Swisher. The next thing Mr. Swisher knew, enforcers had come to him privately tion. ed on if there was anyone from the “In those days the motels were the Upshur County sheriff and a and asked him to participate on a When Mr. Hammer became full- college in Pasadena available to give time supervisor of the church’s a sermonette,” she said. segregated, and he would drop me deputy were knocking on Mr. Swish- “raid” on the church’s property near In the early days of the Radio off and he would drive to another er’s door in Gladewater. Big Sandy. buildings and grounds on his father’s Church of God, only one man was fleabag motel. In the morning he “They took me to jail. I had four “That would have been on Pass- death in 1962, the church hired Dale available to give the sermon in each would come back and pick me up. kids, and Bev was in the back room over or the Night to Be Much Schurter to oversee the farm. congregation. As more students at- He would get out and open the door nursing the baby. I never had a chance Observed,” said Mr. Swisher. “Can Feeding the early flock tended Ambassador, the men would for me. to tell her what was happening. you imagine the commotion that emerge after graduation with train- “We got away with that all the “The kids ran to her and said, ‘A would have caused? We had a good Mr. Swisher talked about his ser- ing in how to give speeches and start way across Arkansas and into Loui- man with a big gun came and took relationship with that ATF official, mons in the early days. with presentations of 10 to 15 min- siana until we got to Shreveport. Daddy.’ and he knew we had everything in “My sermons then would have utes each that came to be called ser- Some policeman spotted us there and “They put me in the car, and there order. He told me, ‘Pardon my been on prophecy, Christian living, monettes. he tailed us all the way to the city was Buck Hammer and Tom Ham- French, but I told them to go straight Sabbath-keeping and the law,” he “I enjoyed every area we lived limit. Mr. Jackson and I did a lot of on, a church member from Louisi- to hell.’ ” said. “I was a big preacher of the law. in,” said Mrs. Cole. “We moved a lot praying. If someone had caught on, ana. We spent part of the night in Mr. Swisher remembered another “We had Imperial School here, so in those days. We were in and out of we could have been in big trouble.” jail.” incident involving East Texans some of the sermons would be pre- Big Sandy and Pasadena a lot. Dur- Mr. Swisher fondly remembered (The lawmen hauled Mr. Hamon opposed to the consumption of sented to deal with some of the diffi- ing our stays in East Texas we lived Mr. Jackson, the first black minister in as well as Mr. Hammer and Mr. alcohol. culties going on there.” in Big Sandy, Longview and Glade- ordained in the Radio/Worldwide Swisher because, said Mr. Swisher, “We had one motel owner that Mr. Hammer recalled two issues water. Our youngest daughter was Church of God, eventually rising to Mr. Hamon was outspoken to the called us after about 30 or 40 of our from the early days. born in Big Sandy.” the rank of evangelist. Mr. Jackson sheriff in his opinion of the sheriff’s people had a party one night. He “In those days we had Church of The only thing Mrs. Cole remem- died in 1991. actions that day.) went out and counted the beer bot- Christ women coming in with no bered that she didn’t like about Big “What a fantastic guy he was.” With the concerted efforts of Mr. tles. That was a problem to him.” makeup and hair in a bun, and we Sandy was the summer heat. Mr. Swisher related a story about Hammer and an attorney, the sheriff had Methodist women coming in all “It would get to 120 degrees. I a black minister at a “ministerial released Mr. Hammer, Mr. Hamon Almost passed out painted up with all kinds of hairdos. would go to the ice store and buy ice refresher program” of the World- and Mr. Swisher from custody that Mr. Swisher remembered that, be- “The women kept going to Mr. and drink iced tea all day just like the wide Church of God who comment- night. cause of tight church finances, the Armstrong complaining about the natives.” ed in later years that he couldn’t But Mr. Swisher still had vivid going could get rough at times for others. He decided to form a com- CG7 influence believe the church had practiced recollections of the accommodations church employees. Sometimes they mittee to look into the subject of racial segregation at one time. at the jail in Gilmer. might go for weeks at a time without makeup.” Wayne Cole, who entered Ambas- Mr. Swisher told him: “I did that. “They put me in one cell and Buck a paycheck. Mr. Hammer said that, because of sador in Pasadena in 1950 and was I had Mr. Armstrong’s approval. I was in the one next to me. There was Sometimes, because of finances, the mix of men Mr. Armstrong chose graduated in 1954, remembers the told him what the situation was here, something wrong with the plumbing Ambassador College back in Pasa- for the committee, he could easily influence of Mr. Armstrong’s former and he backed me up on that. At the because when I would flush the toilet dena could not afford to hold classes predict what Mr. Armstrong’s deci- church association. Feast we had people coming in off in my cell it would come up in his, the customary five days a week. sion regarding makeup would be. See MR. ARMSTRONG, page 23 Issue No. 167 (Nov. 30, 2014) THE JOURNAL 23 Mr. Armstrong added Sabbath sermonettes in about 1950 Continued from page 5 down. Sermonettes were a tool to “When Mr. Armstrong moved train young [AC] students.” from Eugene to Pasadena he still had The format might vary for ser- the influence of the Church of God mons on feast days, said Mr. Cole. (Seventh Day),” said Mr. Cole. For Instead of one sermon, the brethren example, “he still conducted Sab- might hear two sermons of about 50 bath school at that time.” minutes each. Ambassador student Herman The pioneers of the Radio Church Hoeh apparently didn’t like the con- of God in Texas and elsewhere cept of Sabbath school, said Mr. worked through some hard times Cole, so he “went to Mr. Armstrong and saw the Big Sandy congregation and said, ‘It is the parents’ responsi- grow steadily through the years. bility to teach their children.’ He From the humble beginnings [Mr. Armstrong] changed the church around a kitchen table to meetings format then [eliminating Sabbath under an oak tree to eventually gain- schools], I think in 1949.” ing use of modern facilities and serv- The usual church format at that ing thousands of Church of God time was to begin church services members, these stalwarts helped build with two songs, the opening prayer, a congregation, Feast of Tabernacles announcements, another song, spe- OUT OF THE PAST—Above photo: Three young Ambassador site, private school and college. cial music (if available), a sermon, a College students, David Jon Hill (left), Garner Ted Armstrong and The facility at Big Sandy flour- closing song and a closing prayer. Norman Smith, fellowship during the faculty reception in the old AC ished for many years and eventually “I think it was in 1950 sermon- library building in Pasadena in 1953. Right photo: Feastgoers take became known as a second head- ettes were added,” said Mr. Cole. their seats before a Feast service in the big tent near Big Sandy quarters of the Worldwide Church of “They were to be short topics. They about 1966. [Above photo courtesy Doris Cole; right photo by God. were not intended to be sermons cut Roland Ouellette] TO BE CONTINUED Bricket Wood U.K. deal falls through, PCG buys elsewhere Continued from page 24 to pick up and dust off and prove out. pus in Bricket Wood was available for £3 million tops rock, he was convinced that it indeed chi’s Message to God’s Church To- “Not many people did that. But a few purchase. had been Mr. Armstrong’s rock, and he day people did. A few people took that way On May 14, 2014, the PCG submit- ordered that it be displayed on the . These actions led to Mr. Flurry Ambassador College was a four-year ted a bid to purchase the Edstone estate being summoned before WCG lead- of life and put it to the test.” liberal-arts college established by the PCG’s college campus. The rock Mr. Flurry believes that England is a on the outskirts of Wootton Wawen that arrived on the Oklahoma campus Aug. ers and fired on Dec. 7, 1989. Radio Church of God in 1947, with its was quickly accepted. A group of the brethren rallied good place to “raise the ruins” of Mr. 15, 2002. original campus in Pasadena, Calif., and THE JOURNAL was not able to deter- around Mr. Flurry and another minister, Armstrong’s work. Two years later the PCG spent more other campuses started in Bricket mine the amount of the bid or selling John Amos, to start a new congregation. “Now fast-forward to today,” said Wood, England, in 1960 and near Big than $100,000 purchasing items auc- Twelve people met for a church service Mr. Flurry. “After a few humble begin- price, but the mansion, described as a “6 tioned off by the WCG in its liquidation Sandy, Texas, in 1964. bedroom house for sale,” was listed on Dec. 16, 1989, and four days later nings, God’s college [Herbert W. Arm- Ambassador College’s English cam- of the assets of its Ambassador College the congregation incorporated as the strong College] is now living and shar- recently at rightmove.co.uk for £3 mil- Pasadena Campus. A nine-foot Stein- ing that same way of life . . . here in pus, which graduated present-day Church lion, or about $4.7 million. way concert grand piano and two Philadelphia Church of God. of God ministers Ian Hufton and Daniel According to the website watch- England. Eager over the years seven-foot-tall candlestick holders were man.org, the Philadelphia Church of “What a good place this is to broad- Botha and songwriter Ross Jutsum, among the items purchased. God had risen as of 2000 to 6,000 mem- cast, to publish, to build for God. What closed in 1974 and sold soon thereafter Bob Thiel of Arroyo Grande, Calif., In a July 17, 2004, sermon explain- bers in 115 coun- a place to resurrect an old way of life, to to the Central Electricity Generating founder of the Continuing Church of ing the church’s purchases, Gerald tries. fuel a bright light here in a nation that Board. God, publisher of the blog COGWriter Flurry noted the items had been picked has a troubled future.” Ambassador College itself was com- and a critic of many of the Churches of out and acquired by Herbert Armstrong Another AC pletely closed in 1997 when the last God including the PCG, says he is himself. A bridge over troubled times remaining campus, in Texas, became relieved that the PCG purchased the The PCG oper- Majestic, yet sensible ates a small liber- Mr. Flurry also said the work of the defunct. Edstone campus rather than the WCG’s al-arts and the- Philadelphia Church of God could With an opportunity to purchase old Ambassador College grounds. In spite of the failure to purchase the ology college, perhaps be instrumental in guiding Ambassador College’s old English Mr. Thiel has criticized the PCG as old Ambassador College site in the U.K., Herbert W. Arm- the British people through its time of campus, the PCG tendered an offer in becoming too eager over the years to United Kingdom/Europe regional direc- strong College, trouble. March 2013 to purchase a portion of the acquire relics of the old Radio/ tor Brad Macdonald said he believes the also known as “When you look around you here in Bricket Wood estate, including its man- Worldwide Church of God. property that the PCG eventually pur- AC, in Edmond, Gerald Flurry Britain right now, you see a lot of joy- sion, Hanstead House, and a cottage “I have considered PCG’s fascina- chased is ideal for the church, a godsend. Okla. Estab- lessness. There’s a lot of unhappiness. A where Mr. Armstrong stayed during his tion with attaining old WCG items to be “I believe God has long been prepar- lished in 2001, AC offers two-year and ing Edstone for His church,” he said in four-year unaccredited degrees. the church’s press release. “Edstone is It graduated its first class in 2006, ideal for the PCG, a perfect combina- having obtained federal-government tion of majesty and functionality. It’s permission to accept international stu- The acquisition of Edstone was the culmination of a two-year dignified and impressive, yet practical dents in 2003. and sensible.” Stephen Flurry contends that the search for a new PCG headquarters campus in the U.K. Mr. Macdonald said contractors and European ministry of the PCG and its church-staff members are updating fix- overall ministry is based upon a simple tures and appliances and installing new message, a message that he says can be flooring, partition walls, paint and a proven from the Bible and put to the test lot of darkness, frankly. It’s everywhere visits to the campus. on the idolatrous side, so at least this computer network to prepare Edstone in real life. around us . . . Over the next nine months, however, purchase of property in England ended Hall for church use by the last week of “Herbert Armstrong, our college’s “Everyone in Britain and outside of the deal fell through. The owner of the up not being a continuation of that,” December 2014. namesake, was one of the greatest edu- Britain can see that Britain needs some- Bricket Wood estate, a London real- wrote Mr. Thiel in a Nov. 14, 2014, blog The work of the church’s regional cators and cultural leaders of the 20th thing . . . What is Britain to do? How estate-development company, was entry. headquarters in Britain currently in- century,” Mr. Flurry said in his YouTube can Britain’s people come out of this denied planning permission for its resi- “Yet, because it is in England, this cludes conducting church business, ful- address. “Why did so many people lis- trouble? Well, perhaps what you are dential neighborhood by the St. Albans does give the appearance that PCG is filling literature requests, Feast plan- ten to Mr. Armstrong? . . . Because of about to see on this small campus can city council, making the sale of the land still trying to appear more like the old ning, and providing services to Euro- his message. That message was about a help light the way.” to the PCG impracticable. WCG, which had a campus there.” pean members. In 2009, the Philadelphia Church of Mr. Macdonald and his family will solid, joyful, peaceful way of life.” Bricket Wood deal fell through A kind of epiphany Mr. Flurry said Mr. Armstrong’s God purchased a 12-by-15-by-25-foot live in the Edstone mansion. message and proposed way of life con- The acquisition of Edstone was the The PCG then looked elsewhere. sculpture formerly located on the In addition to making use of Edstone tinue to be spread even though the culmination of a two-year search for “There was a kind of epiphany,” said WCG’s Ambassador College Big Sandy for its current functions, the Philadelphia church Mr. Armstrong founded in 1934 a new PCG headquarters campus in Mr. Macdonald as quoted in the press campus called Swans in Flight. Church of God intends to operate a the U.K. In December 2012 Gerald release. “Why not look elsewhere? we school at Edstone called Herbert W. Arm- (some say 1927) shut down its colleges Mr. Armstrong’s prayer rock and ceased being a predominantly Sab- Flurry asked Mr. Macdonald to thought. strong College–England. batarian organization. search the London area for a parcel of “We did a quick Internet search, and Originally commissioned in 1969 by The new school’s first semester will land that could meet the needs of the within minutes we were oohing and Mr. Armstrong, the swans lately rest in begin Jan. 12, 2015. According to Ste- Picked up, dusted off, proved out church’s growing British and Euro- aahing over at least a dozen other mag- a 40,000-gallon reflecting pool on a phen Flurry, the PCG will assign 11 stu- “That way of life didn’t shut down,” pean work. nificent homes, all of which were less mall at the entrance of the Armstrong dents from the Oklahoma campus to Mr. Flurry said. “That message didn’t Mr. Macdonald soon discovered that expensive and came with greater Auditorium of PCG’s AC campus in study and work at Edstone in support of shut down. It was still there for anyone the former Ambassador College cam- acreage and more features.” Oklahoma. what the church calls “God’s end-time Also on display on that campus is a work.” 14-inch “prayer rock” said to have been used by Mr. Armstrong to lean on while No one at PCG commented kneeling in prayer when he lived in THE JOURNAL attempted to contact Please notice Oregon in the 1920s and ’30s. Gerald and Stephen Flurry and Brad iews stated in any article, letter, editorial, essay, cartoon or other feature in A small group of PCG members Macdonald concerning the purchase of embarked on an expedition to Oregon the Edstone estate. THE JOURNAL are those of the writers or sources quoted by the writers and to find the rock. After consulting with This writer was able to reach none of should not be viewed as the official position of any group or organization, nor descendants of friends of Mr. Arm- these men for comment. Vdo they necessarily reflect the views of anyone on the staff of THE JOURNAL. Articles, let- strong, they found a rock that they said For more information about the Phil- ters and features are presented in the interest of furthering communication and dis- fit every detail that Mr. Armstrong had adelphia Church of God, go to pcog. cussion among readers of this newspaper. JOURNAL readers are invited to submit letters given in his autobiography about the org or write P.O. Box 3700, Edmond, rock. Okla. 73083, U.S.A., or phone (405) and articles of response to JOURNAL articles they agree with or disagree with. When Gerald Flurry later saw the 340-7474.