The congregation of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Richmondville, honored lifelong resident—and member of the church—Eleanor (Patrick) Holmes with a 90th birthday celebration on January 13.
According to Mrs. Holmes, she was born at home to Smith A. and Louisa (Mutchel) Patrick in 1918 with Dr. William Lowe in attendance.
She lived in the home, on River Street, until she sold the house in 1985; she is now a resident of Richmond View Apartments.
Mrs. Holmes was baptized at St. Paul’s as an infant by Rev. Emery Ottman and began attending Sunday school there when she was 6; she was confirmed when she turned 12. and later married her husband, Robert Holmes there in a ceremony performed by Rev. Eugene Umberger.
Mr. Holmes is now deceased.
Mrs. Holmes said she is grateful to her parents for having lived as Christians and for having “continually stressed the importance of believing in God and attending church.”
Mrs. Holmes was so active at St. Paul’s that she considers it her second home and is in “her” pew almost every Sunday.
Among the pastors she worked with during her 78 years of church membership are: Pastors Morris Skinner, Robert Van Deusen, Eugene Umberger, Walter Bielitz, Raymond, Deitz, Robert Reisch, Daniel Uzapan, John Mouland, Howard Kuhnle, William Preuss, Edward Bommer, Jeffrey Prozzo, Maurice Gold, and Paul Messner.
Several years ago Rev. Gary Edmister, present pastor, designated Mrs. Holmes as an honorary member of St. Paul’s Altar Guild.
Mrs. Holmes recalls many changes in worship services.
She has attended nearly all of the almost-75 Mother and Daughter Banquets sponsored by St. Paul’s Eureka Class.
She noted that her mother was one of the founders of the women’s St. Paul’s Eureka Class 93 years ago and she remembers her father’s activity with the Adelphi Men’s Class and her involvement with the St. Paul’s Luther League.
Mrs. Holmes has seen plenty of local history as well.
She remembers beginning first grade at the “Red Brick School House” when she was 6 and attending classes there till eighth grade.
She also remembered her freshman year in the old Glove Factory on River Street.
In the fall of 1933, all 12 grades of Richmondville students attended classes at Richmondville Central School—now Radez Elementary—and Mrs. Holmes is a 1936 RCS graduate.
Mrs. Holmes recalls several big fires in the village, including ones at the Westover Hotel, the furniture factory of Holmes street, and the Glove Factory on Main Street.
Businesses she remembers include: Schaffer’s Store, Bernstein’s Hardware Store, Fraiser’s Department Store, Rhode’s Market, Haven’s Drug Store, Hardy’s Drug Store, Hay’s Barber Shop, which had been Dane’s Barber Shop; Davis Shoe Store, Dibble’s Furniture Store, and Hill’s Jewelry Store.
Mrs. Holmes’ son, Gary, lives in Texas with his wife, Fatima. They have two children, Patricia and Renee, and two grandchildren, Patrick and Jesse.
Mrs. Holmes was caught by surprise by her birthday celebration at St. Paul’s, calling it one of the best memories of her 90 years.
“I will never be able to thank these wonderful people for this beautiful memory,” she said. “I sincerely hope they will all enjoy a happy, healthy life and reach the age of 90 years—plus many more.”