November 11 Today in OPC History

On November 11, 1938, Raymond Meiners was ordained and installed as pastor of Calvary OPC, Schenectady, New York. Born in Washington, D.C., in 1912, Meiners was an electrical engineering student at Union College when he heard the gospel and was converted. He would eventually graduate from Elmhurst College in 1935 and Westminster Theological Seminary in 1938.

Looking for a call, Meiners made contact with a small group of believers in Schenectady who did not have enough money to pay a pastor on a regular basis. However, they promised Meiners if he became their pastor that they would work towards paying him a definite sum of money monthly as soon as possible. Meiners accepted the call and would serve Calvary Church for the next forty-two years.

Under Meiner's leadership, Calvary Church would grew from its original thirteen charter members to forty-two members when it purchased its building in 1942. When it dedicated its new sanctuary and fellowship hall in 1960 it had grown to 129 members. When Meiners retired in December 1980, 200 members belonged to Calvary Church. Less than two years after his retirement, the Lord called him home to glory on September 7, 1982.