Memories: John Price

John Price was an ordained United Methodist minister and executive director of the West Virginia Council of Churches when he “discovered” St. John’s. He made friends with our rectors, Mac and Mary Adelia McLeod, became an Episcopal priest, and served alongside the McLeods.

As a chalice assistant, I was often in the clergy vesting room when the priests were preparing for worship. John had a wonderful sense of humor, and the three exchanged humorous stories as they donned their vestments. They also shared the pulpit, and John’s sermons were always interesting. He had an uncanny ability to put together very lengthy but always grammatically correct sentences.

John’s wife, June, and their twin sons, David and Doug, had also become parishioners. The handsome, red-haired twins always turned heads as they processed together as acolytes. Doug is still in Charleston and attends our Sunday services.

John’s funeral was as special as he was, as the St. Ambrose Choir complied with his request that they sing “Country Roads” followed by Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.” And his wish that the service be followed by a celebratory party, including a keg of beer in the parish hall, was quite fitting.

What I remember most fondly about him is his saying at an annual parish meeting that his regular job had taken him to all kinds of churches in every part of the state, and, to him, St. John’s was the best example of what a church should be.