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Claude & Velma Ellis

NB: I am seeking information on other early members, If you know anything and to assist with filling in the gaps in our history, please send to me.

Some information from the Autobiography of Herbert W Armstrong: 

“The six weeks' meetings in the one-room Firbutte schoolhouse came to a close on Sunday night, August 20, 1933. A total of more than 20 had come with us — but this apparently included the ten members of the Fisher and Ellis families, members of the Church before the meetings started. The October 1, 1933 Bulletin carries the report that "with the Fisher and Ellis families, more than 20 signified their desire to establish a new Sabbath-keeping Church of God in this district."” (p. 451) 

“In our new local church, then meeting out at the Jeans school house, 12 miles west of Eugene, we had a young couple, Claude and Velma Ellis. Claude was a very good tenor. His wife Velma sang alto. They sang duets. They supplied the music. I do not remember the exact format of the program, as it started, during those first few months. Very soon the duet was replaced with a mixed quartette, with our daughter Beverly sing[1]ing soprano, Mrs. Armstrong alto, Claude Ellis tenor, and Alfred Freeze bass, with Mrs. Ellis at the piano.” (pp. 458-59) 

“But just what truly was the Biblical form of organization I did not at that time see clearly. I was really confused on the question. I had grave misgivings about Mr. Dugger's professed "Bible form" of organization. I talked it over with Mr. and Mrs. Fisher, Mr. Claude Ellis, and others of our Church at Jeans. Mr. Fisher was not "sold" on it, either. He advised going slow. Meanwhile Messrs. Ray and Oberg were exerting every effort to urge the Oregon Conference to go in with, and to keep me out of the new "Organization." One of the basic doctrinal points of the "Salem" organization was abstaining from "pork" and observing rigidly the food law of the "clean and unclean" of Leviticus 11. Mr. Ray now tried to discredit me with the new "Organization" with his anti-pork argument. Consequently, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Ellis, the other members at Jeans and I decided we would simply leave the answer in God's hands.” (p. 471)