Who's Who at Longport Gospel Hall Home, NJ

Founding Board

• William Moon, Charter President 1947-1954+
• G.A. Stahl, Vice-President 1947+
• John Lloyd, Secretary 1947+
• Raymond Sunderland, Vice-Secretary 1947+
  • 20 S. Andover Ave., Margate, NJ
• Louis Smith, Treasurer 1947+
• Robert A. Crawford 1947+
  • Pittsburgh, PA
• Arthur Davenport 1947+

Other Early Leadership and/or Founders

• R. Greer 1947+
• Otto Harding 1947+ (1898-1991)
  • With Christ: Otto Harding of Tampa, FL on Dec. 31, age 93, and his beloved wife, Alice Harding on Jan. 6 (1992). Our esteemed brother and sister had been married over 70 years. Both were saved on June 19, 1930, just two hours apart after attending meetings by J. Watt in Barrington, N.J. Both were received into fellowship in Camden, N.J. where they continued steadfastly until they retired in 1963 and moved to Florida. From that time on, they were in fellowship in North Tampa, where our brother was an elder for many years. Otto and Alice were very faithful to all the meetings and very helpful in the assembly. Bro. Harding, along with W. Moon, T. Williams, and R. Greer, was instrumental in founding the Longport Home, where he served on the Board of Trustees for many years. They are survived by one son David and four grandchildren."
• Angus Weir +1948+
• T. Williams 1947+

Later Leadership

• Miss Faye E. Wahls +1988-1994+ Administrator
  • commended from Garnavillo Gospel Hall, IA in 1988

Alumni

Dates of birth are approximate, and welcome correction. Actually, all corrections (or expansions) are welcomed by the editors. Year sections generally denote when the alumni died or was last known active. Those who died in the latter portion of a year were generally reported in early months of the subsequent year in assembly magazines.

1940's

1947

• Mrs. Jeremiah E. Russell +1947+
  • "Jeremiah E. Russell of Philadelphia, Pa., passed away on March 22, age 68. A very faithful brother and regular attendant at Overbrook Gospel Hall for the past 19 years. He leaves to mourn his passing a widow and one unsaved son. Mrs. Russell is now residing at the Gospel Hall Home for Aged Christians at Longport, N.J."

• Mrs. Lilly Thomas
  • The July 1947 report from Light & Liberty in the main Longport article and/or the Visiting Ministry section includes a testimony report from this Mrs. Thomas.

1949

• Mrs. Jane Palmer MacLeod +1949
  • "Mrs. Jane Palmer MacLeod, of Kearny, N.J., passed away to be with the Lord on Feb. 17, from the Gospel Hall Home for Aged Christians, in Longport, N.J. Born in England, she had been associated with assemblies in Newark and Kearny for over fifty years, and through all that time was scarcely ever absent from the Lord's Table on Sunday mornings. At the funeral service, messages for saved and unsaved were given by brethren Paul Mitchell of Good News Chapel Kearney, and William Moon of Atlantic City."

1950's

1959

• Mrs. Iva Kelley went home to be with the Lord from Spring Lake, Michigan, on Mar. 28. She lived for many years in Valparaiso, Indiana, and was known to the Lord's people in Chicago, Longport, New Jersey, Cleveland, Ohio and elsewhere. Peter and William J. Pell had the privilege of sharing the funeral services in Grand Haven.

• Christine D. Thomson, of Pittsburgh, PA, who was fifty years in fellowship in the Freindship Avenue assembly, departed this life to be "with Christ" which is "far better." A quiet, devoted sister whose life and testimony will have its proper appraisal from God. She is missed by her many friends here, and also at Longport Home where she spent the closing days of her earthly life."

1960's

1960

• Annie J. Graham, formerly of Pittsburgh, PA, went home to be with the Lord on June 16. She was born in Ireland 93 years ago. Saved at the age of 18, she came to America shortly thereafter. She was associated with the saints at Friendship Ave. Assembly until about three years ago when she went to reside at the Longport Gospel Hall Home for the aged, where she remained until her home call. She was a widow indeed for over 50 years, and freely entertained the Lord's people as long as she was able. She was well loved by all. The service was conducted by Robert Crawford, her nephew."

1969

• Doris L. White, Longport, N.J. has not been able to return to Venezuela because of a disk injury which may require surgery. For the present she is at the Longport Gospel Home and helping to care for the aged saints."

1970's

1970

• Mrs. W.B. Johnson +1970+

1980's

1982

• John E. Bottke 1979-1982 (1892-1982)
  • John died "on June 15, age 90. Mr. Bottke was saved while on his lunch break at work. In future years, due to his reading of the Word of God during his break and his bright testimony to his fellow workers he became known as the "lunchtime preacher". He was in fellowship for over 60 years, first in the Mascher St. assembly and then for over 52 years in Hatboro, PA. His wife pre-deceased him by four years and Mr. Bottke spent the last three years of his life in Longport. He was a faithful, godly and consistent elder. The funeral service was shared by H. Coleman, E. Richards and Eugene Higgins."

• Miss Mabel I. Johnston 1982 (1911-1982)
  • Mabel died "on Nov. 24, age 71. Our dear sister was born in Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland, and saved at age 13 in meetings outside Belfast by William McCracken and John Hutchinson. She has been associated with the Bryn Mawr assembly since 1930. For the past year she has been at the home in Longport. Her brother Willie was an evangelist in N. Ireland. Locally she leaves a brother, sister, nephew, wife an three children. Please pray for the nephew, wife and family whom she longed to see reached and saved."

1983

• Mrs. Margaret Pruitt 1947-1983 (1897-1983)
  • Margaret died "on January 6, age 86.  Our beloved sister (sister of the late William Moon, founder of the Longport Home), was saved at age 15, after a stirring message by Sam McEwen from Isaiah 14:9, on April 18, 1911 at Camden, NJ.  She and her husband Tom were interested in the Home from its beginning, and after his retirement were able to devote all their time and energies to the work there.  Mrs. Pruitt has left a fragrant memory as a kindly and cheerful saint."

• Mrs. Margaret Wiseman 1962-1983 (1892-1983)
  • Margaret died "on March 14, age 91.  Our dear sister was born in Ireland and was saved in 1917.  She was in fellowship in Midland Park before coming to the Longport Home 21 years ago.  Mrs. Wiseman was a very quiet and steadfast sister who suffered much toward the end."

• Mrs. Reba Sprigg +1983 (1890-1983)
  • Reba died "on March 29, age 93.  Our dear sister was born again in 1910 and was in assembly fellowship for 73 years.  She was in the old Atlantic City meeting at its beginning and was a native of this area.  Our sister was a cheerful and happy saint who will be truly missed."

• Mabel I. Johnston +1982
  • "William Oliver found the following poems in the personal effects of Mabel I. Johnston who passed away at the Longport Home on Nov. 24, 1982 after much physical suffering. She left a fragrant memory of love to Christ.
    • "I would have you without carefulness" (1 Cor. 7:32). "He careth for you" (1 Peter 5:7).
      • "No anxious thought upon thy brow, the watching world should see, no carefulness, O child of God, for nothing careful be, but cast thou all thy care on Him, who always cares for thee." written by M.I.J. in Dec. of 1931.
      • "Today perhaps! 'Tis true! Today, ere nightfall we may be away; Transported home, how blest, how grand! Transported home to gloryland; One twinkling moment then to be with Him for all eternity. Today perhaps! Then why the fear? Tomorrow, we may not be here! The thing so dreaded may not come til we are safely gathered home. The threat'ning storm cloud may not break, till in His presence we awake." M.I.J. written at age 20

• Miss Matilda Cochrane +1983 (1905-1983)
  • "Miss Matilda Cochrane of Longport, N.J. on June 17, age 78. Our dear sister was born in Pennsylvania and professed faith in Christ when she was 13 years of age. For many years, she was in fellowship in assemblies in the Philadelphia area before coming to Longport. Miss Cochrane loved the Lord and was looking for His coming. The funeral service was taken by Eugene Higgins."

• Mrs. Velma Joye +1983 (1895-1983)
  • "Mrs. Velma Joye of Longport, N.J. on Aug. 17, age 88. Our dear sister was born in Peterboro, Ontario. She and her husband came to Detroit in 1923 and God saved her during a gospel series in the old Central Hall in Detroit. For many years she was in fellowship in Ferndale but lately has resided in the Home at Longport. Her husband predeceased her in 1971. William Lavery spoke at the funeral services."

1986

• Andrew Stenhouse +1986-1991+
• Nina Stenhouse +1986
  • pioneer missionaries to Santiago, Chile arriving in Dec. 1927, did radio work, wrote Spanish Gospel tracts, co-edited "Palabras Fieles". Authored "The Sin of Sectarianism", a volume of church history and doctrine. Also, "Counting on God", pub. 1976, an autobiography.
  • LOI 1986-11: "Nina Stenhouse, 88, of Longport, New Jersey, on Aug. 25th. Nina and her husband Andrew spent more than half a century as missionaries in Chile."

1990's

1991

• Elizabeth Duncan 1950-1991 (1899-1991)
  • Elizabeth Duncan of Longport, N.J. on May 20, age 92. Our dear sister was born in Paisley, Scotland on April 20, 1899 and was saved as a young adult after immigrating to the United States in the 1920's. She was in the Longport Home since 1950 when she came with her mother. When first a resident, she worked in various capacities. She was always a happy sister, rejoicing in the Lord despite her many infirmities."

• Mrs. Caroline Moon 1978-1991
  • Mrs. Caroline Moon of Longport, N.J. on June 2. Our dear sister was saved in her early 20's while under the sound of the gospel preached by Brethren Conaway and Halliday in Philadelphia. She was a faithful sister who had been in fellowship with the Olney assembly before going to the Longport Home in 1978. Mrs. Moon is survived by two sons, Edwin and Bruce. She and her husband George were instrumental in helping establish the Home in Longport. Mrs. Moon represented the last of that generation who had been associated with the Home through the years."

• William O'Neill 1985-1991 (1903-1991)
  • With Christ: "William O'Neill of Longport, N.J. on Dec. 29, age 88. Our dear brother was born in County Antrim, Northern Ireland in 1903 and was saved there in 1923. He came to the United States as a young man and was in fellowship in East Pittsburgh, PA for 62 years before coming to the Longport Home in 1985. His wife predeceased him. He is survived by three single sisters who are in a nursing home in Pennsylvania. The funeral in Turtle Creek, PA was taken by Harold Clark and Kenneth McCullough."

• Thelma H. Slack 1963-1991 (1899-1991)
  • With Christ: "Thelma H. Slack of Longport, N.J. on Feb. 25, 1991. Our dear sister was born in Indiana in 1899. Although (handicapped), she was able to understand the gospel and was saved on Dec. 20, 1930. For many years, she was in fellowship in Mansfield, Ohio, before coming to the Longport Home with her parents in 1963. As long as health permitted, she proved to be a willing helper at the Home and was a dear soul, much loved by all. She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Marjorie Burson of Mansfield."

• Sarah Cooper 1988-1991 (1901-1991)
  • With Christ: "Mrs. Sarah Cooper of Longport, N.J. on Nov. 7, age 90. Our dear sister was born in Kilkeel, North Ireland

1992

• Louise Hawkins Bayne 1985-1992 (1915-1992)
  • With Christ: "Mrs. Louise (Hawkins) Bayne of Longport, N.J. on Mar. 6, age 77. Our dear sister was born in Virginia and was born again as a child. Her husband, Carroll B. Bayne, predeceased her in 1982. Mrs. Bayne was in fellowship in Maryland from 1973 until illness prevented her attendance at the meetings. In 1985, she came to the Longport Home and was in the infirmary from the time she came until her homecall. The funeral was held in Maryland.

• Abram Vandenbush 1988-1992 (1902-1992)
  • With Christ: "Abram Van Den Bush of Longport, N.J. on Feb. 5, age 90. Our dear brother did not hear the gospel until he was 25, and was saved in the second gospel meeting he attended. For three years, he and his wife sought a Scriptural place to gather, before they came in contact with the Patterson assembly. A few years later, they moved to Midland Park, and in 1950 to Waterbury (now Terryville) where he was active in the assembly until 1988. He served as correspondent for 17 years, and with his wife, enjoyed entertaining the Lord's people. In 1988, they moved to Longport Home."

• Mrs. Abram Vandenbush 1988-1992+

• Alfred S. Flint 1991-1992 (1910-1992)
  • With Christ: "Alfred S. Flint of Longport, N.J. on Sept. 22, age 82. Our dear brother was born in Wakefield, MA and was born again on Aug. 9, 1933. Before coming to the Longport Home with his wife Rita in early 1991, he was in fellowship in assemblies in Byfield, MA; Saugus, MA; Torrington, CT; and Springfield, MA. He is survived by his wife, one son and one daughter, all saved. The funeral was held at the Home, and was shared by William Hanley and Dale Vitale."

• Emily McClelland 1990-1992 (1910-1992)
  • With Christ: "Mrs. Emily (John) McClelland of Longport, N.J. on Mar. 24, age 82. Our dear sister was saved in 1916 and was in fellowship in various assemblies in the Philadelphia area before entering a nursing home in N.J. Mr. and Mrs. McClelland came to the Longport Home in 1990. Mrs. McClelland was in the infirmary the whole time at Longport and was a sweet, patient and thankful sister. Her husband, John, survives as well as three daughters, all saved. The funeral was outside Philadelphia."

• John McClelland 1990-1992+

1995

• Mrs. John (Eunice) Reid +1995+

1996

• T. Ernest Wilson +1996
  • see memorial tribute in Counsel 1997 Jan-Feb

• Garland T. Fesche 1994-1996 (d. 1996)
  • "Garland T. Fesche of Longport, New Jersey, went to be with the Lord on Feb. 16. She and her husband, Edwin Fesche, spent many years in pioneer work. She spent the last two years at the Longport Home for the Aged."

Sources

• Counsel
  • 1997:1-2;
• Know Your Missionaries
  • 1986:9
  • 1989:6
• Letters of Interest
  • 1969:6
  • 1986:11
  • 1988:7-8
  • 1995:10
  • 1996:5
• Light and Liberty
  • 1947-2,7
  • 1949:3
  • 1959-1,5
  • 1960-10
• Truth and Tidings
  • 1951:9
  • 1982:9
  • 1983:1,3,5-6,8,11
  • 1991:8
  • 1992:1-2,4,6,11