Alvin P. Lafon

     In the second half of the 1950s and throughout the '60s and '70s, St. John's saw steady leadership that was active in the community. This was a diverse and quickly changing group of clergy that had a new leader arrive every five or so years. These clergy were all young and motivated to provide service to the valley.

     The activities included humanitarian work with the Utes, establishing a Girls Friendly Society branch, and regulating the weekly services by restarting Sunday School. (1,2,3)

1. "Logan Children Donate Clothing to Ute Indians" Logan Herald Journal, December 8, 1954. Page 6. University of Utah, Marriot Library, Utah Digital Newspaper. https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6tf5cs6/28582322

2. "Sunday Services Planned For Gilrs' Friendly Society Unit" Logan Herald Journal, January 28, 1955. Page 6. University of Utah, Marriot Library, Utah Digital Newspaper. https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s64j5wm0/28582974

3. "Set Episcopal Youth Plans" Logan Herald Journal, August 29, 1954. Page 8. University of Utah, Marriot Library, Utah Digital Newspaper. https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6sv357m/28580915

     Many different activities were started to support the arts in Logan. These included the beginning of a Glee Club in 1956. (4) Music has been a key way that the congregation of St. John's has reached out to the wider community over the years. Concerts, plays, and tours happen often and are hosted at the chapel.

     The group Musica Reservata held yearly concerts at St. John's until they retired. Utah State music students and faculty have always held close ties with St. John's and have held many violin, piano, and organ concerts at the church over the years.

4. "Glee Club" Logan Herald Journal, May 20, 1956. Page 6. University of Utah, Marriot Library, Utah Digital Newspaper. https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6t77zq1/28560675

     Religious Emphasis Days at Utah State University and World Community Day in Logan were two recurring events in the '50s and '60s with the purpose of spreading awareness of local needs and international cooperation. St. John's participated by holding special services for students, making sure to be as welcoming as possible to those of different faiths. (5) With the close ties that Utah State University had at this time with the Middle East and Iran, several efforts were made by leaders at St. John's Episcopal to educate the community on the diverse cultures that were coming to Logan. (6)

5. "Religious Emphasis Days Slated On USU Campus" Logan Herald Journal, February 2, 1964. Page 6. University of Utah, Marriot Library, Utah Digital Newspaper. https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s69m063b/29879538

6. "To Speak At World Community Day Service" Logan Herald Journal, October 30, 1957. Page 8. University of Utah, Marriot Library, Utah Digital Newspaper. https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s62g33vj/28569154

     In 1965, the Cache Valley Women's Legislative Council started a movement to establish a Cache Community Council, whose aim was to encourage local governments "to secure funding for neighborhood youth corps, migrant workers' schools, help for the needy elderly, putting a social worker into the public schools and other needed action."(4) Many organizations in Logan, both civic and religious, expressed interest in supporting this movement. Father Norman W. Riebe was the representative from St. John's that was present in these meetings.

4.  "Unit Seeks To Establish Cache Community Council" Logan Herald Journal, January 18, 1965. Page 1. University of Utah, Marriot Library, Utah Digital Newspaper.https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6jm85jz/29885609

     St. John's celebrated their first century in 1973. The adjacent pamphlet, with information compiled by local historian, A. J. Simmonds, is what was published at the time to celebrate the centennial anniversary. It remains one of the most complete histories of Cache Valley's first Protestant church. The year was a good one for St. John's and would lead into another decade of steady service that would be uneventful but productive in the efforts of the church to continue to serve the community and parishioners of Logan, UT.

     A. J. Simmonds was a local historian who worked for Utah State University as an archivist in Special Collections. He had a regular column in the Herald Journal that shared the history of Cache Valley. This column included histories of some of the more marginalized groups in the valley, like the various Protestant churches and many early pioneers. His historical articles and other writings remain one of the most often cited sources for histories of Cache Valley and St. John's.