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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)