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Martin, Alban Mitchell
1/1/1967
September 10, 1896 - 1967 |
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| During my two years as pastor of the Westlake Methodist Church I have been able to count on at least one visitor in my office at least once, and sometimes twice a week. Bro. Martin always came by and asks what he could do to help. On each of these visits I could count on him saying two things. The first one: “Let me tell you something, preacher.” And I listened, for he had a rich background of experience in the church and shared that experience with a grace and humility that is rare. The second thing was: “Preacher you know God has been good to me.” This just about summed up his life—a willingness to share what he had, and an acknowledgment to God as the giver of life. Bro. Alban Mitchel Martin was born Sept. 10, 1896 at Bayou Blue Community Near Houma, Louisiana, the son of Robert Martin and Octavia Matheme. His father Robert Martin was a Methodist Minister, and his uncle, A. D. Martin a Baptist minister. His father was a good friend of the Rev. Martin Hebert, who was once pastor of the Westlake Methodist Church. In his youth, Bro. Martin played the piano in his local church. After normal public schools he decided to further his education and attended Cincinnati Bible College in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he met his bride to be, Eva Williams of Greenfield, Ohio. He returned to Louisiana and entered the Methodist Ministry in 1921. He served in the ministry for 42 years until his retirement in 1963. Methodist appointments that he served in Louisiana were Lydia, St. Martinville, Lockport, Lottie, Springfield, Kentwood, Indian Bayou, Clay, Jeanerette, and Prairieville, and Donaldsonvile. He is survived by his wife, Eva William Martin, four sisters and two brothers, three children a son and two daughters, and ten grandchildren. He moved to Westlake on his retirement in 1963 and this past year drove 90 miles each way to serve the once abandoned church in St. Martinville. He always had a deep love for music. As a young pastor he would often take a folding organ in his car and conduct church services in private homes. As a result of this he was instrumental in the founding of the Golden Meadow, church of which he was the pastor. After his retirement he loved to take part in singing conventions in churches in this area. He always was interested in beautifying the churches and church grounds where he served. A new church was built at Jeanerette, Louisiana while he was pastor there. Above all Bro. Martin was a compassionate and cheerful man. He often took people in need to the hospital in his own car at his own expense regardless of their religious faith and administered to their needs. He always was in a jovial mood, and tried always to give a word of encouragement to children in homes that he visited. He made friends easily because he was friendly himself. He loved nature and gardening. He was not a great orator, or what one would call a great preacher, but he loved to preach. He was not an accomplished musician, but he loved to play the piano. His great strength was perseverance in his duty to his church and his Lord. His Methodist Book of Worship and his Hymnal were his constant companions. His bishop called him A Knight of the Cross. He will be missed by all of us. |
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| Source: Journal of the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church, Pages 213-215, 1968 by Paul C. Carroll. | |
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