December 3 Today in OPC History

H. Wilson Albright was born in Seymour, Texas, on December 3, 1916. His family moved to Long Beach, California when he was seven.

From a young age, Wilson had a love for the Lord and a heart for the lost. As a teenager, he was a member of the Fishermen’s Club (an organization for young men that also shaped the life of Dawson Trotman, founder of the Navigators). In the early forties, the fledgling Long Beach OPC would use the club’s facilities for worship; and it was at that time that Wilson and his family left the Presbyterian Church (USA) to become charter members of that church, then pastored by Henry Coray.

Although Wilson planned a career as an aeronautical engineer, God had other plans. Wilson attended Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia, graduating in 1943. He pastored Grace OPC in White Horse (now Trenton) NJ from 1943 to 1948; First OPC in Manhattan Beach, CA from 1948 to 1956; and the La Habra Chapel, which became Hacienda Heights OPC, from 1959 to 1982.

Wilson’s greatest legacy was his pastoral heart toward his flock, especially the children, some of whom corresponded with him in their adult years when they were facing difficult situations in their lives. His patience was legendary, and although he could be stern, he was never harsh, and no one ever heard him speak an unkind or irritable word. He was a great encourager of young and old alike.

In his retirement, Wilson lent his assistance to the sessions of Beverly OPC in Los Angeles and New Covenant OPC in South San Francisco. In the summers, while visiting his son in Kansas City, he would also greatly encourage the young pastor of Redeemer PCA.

On January 30, 2005, Wilson suffered a seizure in morning worship and died three days later. How appropriate that his last conscious moments in this life were spent in worshiping the Savior he had loved and served so well.

(Editor’s note: Today’s guest contributor is Kathy Erickson, daughter of Wilson Albright.)

Picture: Wilson Albright and the young people of Grace OPC, Trenton.