Mr. Hoyt

A few weeks ago, Mount Vernon United Methodist celebrated their 70th anniversary. As part of the festivities, one of the church members shared a little of the history of the church. She had been a member there since the 60’s and had witnessed most of it herself.

During her presentation, she mentioned an organist who served the church many years ago. His name was Warren Hoyt. My ears perked up when I heard his name because he was my route manager when I delivered the Washington Post many years ago. He would drop off my papers at the corner of Franconia Road and South Van Dorn Steet.

The church member spoke of how Mr. Hoyt would drop off the papers for his carriers in the middle of the night and then drive by the church to practice while no one was there. Apparently, there was a switch on the organ that was connected to an outside speaker, and Mr. Hoyt would occasionally trip the switch inadvertently. When he did so the Belle View neighbors would get a free concert at 4:00 in the morning!

Warren Hoyt was a sweet old guy. Generous and kind and patient. He taught me a thing or two about customer service, diligence, and discipline. With his help I earned enough money delivering papers to pay for my first year of college.

At some point, Mr. Hoyt left the Mt. Vernon Church and became the organist at Groveton Baptist. It was there I encountered him again when Jeannine and I got married in 1988 and he played for our wedding.

A few years ago, I ran into his daughter at a high school reunion. I learned that Mr. Hoyt passed away in 2005. His legacy lives on in his three children and six grandchildren.

I share this because it is a reminder to me of how small a world we live in. If we look for them, we can find the ways that we are connected to the people around us. Since that anniversary celebration, every time I walk into Mount Vernon I think of my old route manager. I’m grateful for the life lessons he taught me, which brought me to a temporary worship space where we both did ministry.