September 17 Today in OPC History

On this day in 1949, OPC ruling elder Larry Mehne was born. Raised in a Reformed Episcopal family in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Larry developed a love for chemistry at an early age through an uncle's gift of a second hand chemistry set and a teacher's tour of a lab. In the mid-1970s while earning his doctorate in Physical Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Larry heard Pastor Jim Petty's preaching at Church of the City (OPC). Larry’s love for the Reformed Faith deepened and the direction of his life’s work turned toward Christian Higher Education. Another major influence at that point in his life was meeting his future wife, Nancy, daughter of OPC Pastor Edwards E. Elliott, and then a recent graduate of Covenant College.

Providentially, Larry has taught at Covenant College, GA (1976-1980, 1989-2017), at Calvin College, MI (1980-1983) and Emory and Henry College, VA (1983-1989). Over the years, he has served both as an OPC and PCA elder. While in Grand Rapids Larry and Nancy were very involved in the beginning of Griggs Street (now Harvest) OPC. For over twenty years he faithfully served as elder and clerk of session at Cornerstone OPC, Chattanooga.

In retirement at Geneva OPC in Marietta, Georgia, and with the flexibility of not being tied to the academic calendar, Larry and Nancy hope to do more service in the church at large and enjoy time with their daughters, Laura and Elizabeth, their husbands and four grandchildren.