The Rev. John F. Crist, senior pastor of La Salle County Episcopal Ministry, celebrated the 40th anniversary of his ordination on Sunday, March 15 with a Holy Eucharist service at 10:30 a.m., followed by a potluck luncheon reception, at Christ Episcopal Church, 132 S. Vermillion St., Streator.
The Rev. Canon Scott Hayashi, canon to the ordinary of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, preached. The celebration was well attended by over 100 well wishers including Father Crist's family, LCEM parishioners and other Clergy. The LCEM is a cluster ministry of the four Episcopal churches in La Salle County: Christ Church, Streator; Christ Church, Ottawa; St. Andrew's in the Fields, Grand Ridge; and St. Paul's Church, La Salle.
Crist graduated from Port Huron (Michigan) Junior College, Michigan State University and Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston. He was ordained first as a deacon June 29, 1968, in Michigan, and to the priesthood March 15, 1969, at Trinity Church in Monroe, Michigan.
He came to the LCEM in November 1998, and served as associate pastor before becoming senior pastor in January 2007. He has served as rector of three successive parishes: Epiphany, Forestville, Md.; Trinity, Janesville, Wis.; and St. Martin's, Fairmont, Minn.
Crist and his wife, Maryfran have four children and eight grandsons. They have been foster parents to more than 35 children and also have hosted several foreign exchange students.
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