In Memoriam

In Memoriam

Rose Window

Over the years a number of memorials have been established at Peoples Church. Memorials have taken the form of plaques and objects that can be found both inside and outside of the church. At some future date we will include many of those remembrances of people who have meant much to the life of Peoples in the blog. I would like to take some space in this column today to explore the memorials that are outside of the building.

Lorraine Hodgkins Memorial Garden

White Cross

The most obvious memorial for a number of years is the Memorial garden that has been developed between the church and Ellis Hall. The Garden Committee has taken charge with the maintenance of the triangular garden originally dedicated to Lorraine Hodgkins who had been a long time teacher in the Sunday school and at one time served as Superintendent. She was the mother of Andrea Hodgkins Harvey who presently serves as the pastor at Elm Street UMC. Following the establishment of the garden in the 1970’s a granite bench was added years later at the head of the garden in memory of Bob Porter who had been very active with the United Methodist Men as well as serving on many important committees. The flagpole and American flags were erected and raised originally by a committee headed by Tom Nelson and others. This addition to the garden area is dedicated to those members of the church who had served in harm’s way through military service.

Susan McLellan Plaisted

Originally there were two Rhododendrons planted in the front corners of the church. One was eliminated when the ramp was built but the other remains in the south corner of the church front. These were planted in memory of John B. Tordoff in 1973 by his wife, Ada. Both John and Ada were very active members of Peoples from the later 1940’s in both men’s and women’s activities.

Brad Morrison

Guy McLellan Memorial

In this past week the memorial gardens of the church were expanded by placing new plantings at the front of Ellis Hall. Two stones also honor the memory of Guy McLellan and his wife Ruth. Guy was very active as a Lay Leader and especially a teacher of the Bethel Bible Study Program and an active member of United Methodist Men. He was also very active in the local Lions Club. Ruth also served as a Sunday school teacher and superintendent in her years of activity at Peoples. She also hostessed a Bible study in her later years in her home. Ruth was a long time elementary school teacher in South Portland. Together they had three daughters; Ann, Susan and Nancy. Susan has taken in the lead in adding this memorial garden to her parents. In 2010 Ann had purchased and placed a Hydrangea in the middle of the garden area now joined by the stones in memory of Guy and Ruth as well as two new Strawberry Shortcake Hydrangeas and 2 Lupine plants.

Ruth McLellan Memorial

McLellan Memorial Garden

The official dedication of this latest edition to the memorial gardens will be take place at a later date..

Garden to breezeway

Front entrance to sanctuary

In the last few years the outside of the property has seen additional plantings of easily cared for plants at the entrance to Ellis Hall and across the ramp at the front of the church.