History » Oral Histories

The Archives at St. Thomas has a collection of oral history interviews conducted primarily from 2008-2010.  Forty-four people were interviewed.  Many of them have passed away or moved away.  Several remain as members of St. Thomas.  

 Carolyn Sowinski is now pulling excerpts from these interviews which will be highlighted on this history webpage on the STLC website.  Jim Ward is the technical expert, splicing together these excerpts and creating a presentation that flows well for the viewer.   These excerpts primarily highlight St. Thomas: the building, worship, and activities.   Many of the people interviewed are still alive and each person has agreed to have these excerpts presented online. 

Karen Blaisdell, a charter member

Marcella (Knudsen) Calvert (1909-2009)

Marcella Calvert was a charter member of St. Thomas, worshiping in the IU Memorial Union before the church had its own building.

Marcella Knudsen Calvert, age 99, passed away on February 22, 2009, in Bloomington, Indiana. Marcella was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Merritt A. (Pep) Calvert, who passed away in 1971. They were winter residents of Fort Myers Beach, Florida, for many years. She is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery.

Born in 1909 and raised in Indianapolis, Marcella graduated from Arsenal Technical High School before earning her Registered Nurse (R.N.) degree from St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing. She also obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and Nursing Education from Indiana University.

Throughout her career, Marcella dedicated herself to public health nursing, working with several nursing associations in Indianapolis, Bloomington, and Brown County. She served as an industrial and camp nurse in both Indianapolis and Michigan, and took on the role of school nurse in the Indianapolis Public Schools and Warren Central until 1943. Thereafter, she joined the University School in Bloomington, where she contributed as both an instructor in nursing education and school nurse until her retirement in 1961. Early in her career she was a church organist in Indianapolis.

Nona (Herrick) Johnson, wife of Rev. Walter Johnson (1935-2008)

Wife Nona Herrick Johnson (1935-2008) obituary
Rev. Walter Johnson (1933-2009) obituary

Raised in the Evangelical and Reformed Church in her hometown, Mrs. Johnson became a confirmed and active member of the Lutheran Church (now ELCA) while living in Cleveland, Ohio. In Bloomington, she and her husband have been members of St. Thomas Lutheran Church since 1984, when Mr. Johnson was called to serve as that congregation’s Pastor. Within the congregation she was greatly involved with its Sister Parish relationship with congregations in Guatemala. While not wishing to be cast in the image of the traditional pastor’s wife, she was an active members of her husband’s congregations through the years; but she conceived of nursing as being her own calling and Christian vocation. Direct patient care was her love; and as an administrator, she was a strong advocate for the patients she served.

Rev. Walter F. Johnson, St. Thomas Pastor from 1984 to 1995

Rev. Walter Johnson (1933-2009) obituary
Wife Nona Herrick Johnson (1935-2008) obituary

Penny (Maneta Laughner) Pennington (1914-2010), a charter member

Penny was a charter member starting at the IU Memorial Union. She had gone to church and Sunday School all of her years. She was the Altar Guild. She liked the small congregation because you could know everyone. Her obituary is here.

Penny was married to Harold Pennington (1912-2004).

Rev. Arnie Pierson, St. Thomas Pastor from 1973 to 1981

In this video, recorded in 2013, Rev. Pierson is sitting by the doors next to Heritage Hall. This is important as he indicates directions while he is talking about the early building arrangements and building projects.

Mary Sasse

Mary was on staff at St. Thomas from 1975 to 1979. She is the former wife of Rev. Roger Sasse.

Roger Sasse obituary: https://ludvigsenmortuary.com/memorialpage.asp?id=2318

Betty and Jerry Smith

Jerry Smith (1929-2025) obituary

This oral history was recorded in 2009.

Jane Warner

Jane Ann (McArthur) Warner (1933-2024) obituary
Robert M Warner (1933-2006) obituary

Jane Warner’s oral history was recorded in 2010.

Jane grew up in Chicago, and was a graduate of Schurz High School, and St. Luke’s Nursing School. She described herself as a tomboy as she loved to play outside but she also sang songs with her sister and competed with her in grades. She made many good friends at St Lukes Nursing School that she kept for life. She worked the night shift as a nurse as she was also a full time homemaker. In Centerville IA, she taught nursing at the local community college. The Lutheran Church and her strong faith were central in Jane’s life. She met her husband Bob at the Lutheran Student Center and was always active in the Lutheran churches in the communities she lived. She played a leadership role at St Thomas in Bloomington IN. She enjoyed Bible study and especially loved working in the nursery and being involved in Vacation Bible School. She was always someone who could be counted on to lend a hand. Jane and her husband Bob retired to Lake Lemon in Indiana in 1990 and that home became the place where family and friends connected and shared many wonderful memories together. She loved entertaining and loved when everyone would come out to enjoy boating, tubing, skiing, fishing and playing cards/games together.