Bristol, A Good Place to Live and
Grow Up
Euclid, A Good Place to Find
God’s Will For Your Life
Harry L. Cowan LBC -
Minister of Music
During my growing up years at Euclid, I accepted Christ as my personal Savior, joined the church and was baptized by Pastor Paul Roberts at age nine. I was a member of the Royal Ambassador Chapter and completed all the steps in the R. A. program with the help of Counselor Tommy Powell. My interest in books got me involved with the Church Library and Culley James, the Librarian. She asked me to be her assistant as a junior boy. I remember the first set of books I read was “The Sugar Creek Gang”. My Christian parents were a great source of support and encouragement to me. We always went to church every time the doors were open. They were the examples I wanted to be like in my future years.
I loved to sing the songs of the church and it wasn’t long until I was involved in the Youth and Adult choirs. I remember singing my first solo in the worship service at Euclid. I am very thankful for musicians like Francis Odell, Peggy Henley, Raymond Kriener, Wayne Buck and many others who encouraged me to serve the Lord with my musical talents. I was blessed and fed by the Bible preaching of pastors B. R. Lakin, Paul Roberts, Garrett Graham and Raymond Smith. Many Sunday school teachers had a big part in my life as they told me each Sunday that “Jesus Loves Me, This I Know For the Bible Tells Me So”.
During my late teen years we were in a summer revival at Euclid and it was during one of these services that I dedicated my life to full time Christian Service in the local church. My Pastor Raymond Smith took me to Ridgecrest Music week and introduced me to Warren Angell, Dean of the School of Music, at Oklahoma Baptist University. That fall I enrolled in Oklahoma Baptist University as a church music major. After graduation in 1955, my first full time position as Minister of Music was at Euclid Ave. Baptist Church. During this time I met my wife, Carolyn James. Pastor Raymond Smith married us in the old church auditorium. Our next move was to continue making music for the Master at Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, KY.
Now 70 years of my life have been completed and it is my privilege and joy to be a part of the 75th anniversary of Euclid Ave. Baptist Church. This is where it all began for me as a small boy who wanted to serve the Lord with his talents. I am very thankful for all the pastors, ministers of music, organists, pianists, Sunday school teachers and all the church members who had a special part in helping me find Gods’ will for my life.
Congratulations to Euclid Ave. Baptist Church on your 75th anniversary. It is my prayer and hope that Euclid Ave. Baptist Church will continue to be a lighthouse in Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee where people can find the “LIGHT” of the world.
Harry L Cowan - July 13,
2003
Harry Cowan, his music, the Choir, his brilliant
voice, and his all around inspiration in song and presence, is GOD's gift to our beloved Lakeview
Baptist Church. He has that magic and ability to bring out the best and lead us
in our "Worship in Song" during our services. Our Choir, our pianist, Diane and our
organist Rita Bush, lead by Harry's creative magic, make the special
"theme" presentations, Christmas, Easter, July 4th, etc. an event I
for one can NOT imagine missing. MY
Mom, who sits at the side of our Creator, always sat on the back row, for she
could hear the whole spectrum of the service, and in particular the glorious
music. Our Church without Harry, would
be like a piano with no keys - beautiful, but silent.
WE Love You and Your
Contribution - Harry
Jimmy Chandler, Sr, and
Our Congregation
Harry L. Cowan - our
Minister of Music:
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Harry Cowan and Milton
"Whitey" Bush (Mr Rita)
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Rita Bush - LBC - Organist
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Dianne Boazman - LBC Pianist
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