Roy Marshall Johnson

"I took the Bible in my hand - Oh, what a Book!

It helped my heart to understand - Oh, what a Look!

For reason struggles on the sand

And shifts from halting stand to stand;

But when we see God's living page

And hear His voice from age to age,

We step aside from futile time

And walk with God, and grow and climb."

- Roy Marshall Johnson, Date Unknown -

It takes a very dedicated person to devote their life to the work of God. Roy Marshall Johnston was that person. He was born in Kingston, Ontario on January 25th 1888. Roy Johnston moved to Alberta at a young age and grew up there. His family consisted of two brothers, Orville and Lloyd and one sister, Edna. 

When Roy was a young man he enlisted in the first World War where he was sent overseas to France. He served for three years. While in France, Roy contracted a serious case of trench fever which affected him greatly. It is said that he never fully recovered from that illness. 

Roy Marshall Johnston was married at this time to Bertha Maude Hines and after he arrived home, both Roy and his wife attended university. They enrolled at Spokane University to prepare and study for the ministry. In 1925, Roy and Bertha graduated from Cincinnati Bible Seminary. ML Johnston went back for more schooling in 1926 where he obtained his Master in Arts. 

Once Roy M. Johnston was ordained, he ministered in Churches of Christ throughout the United States. Washington, Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky were all places blessed by Reverend Johnston. In 1931, Roy and Bertha Johnston went to Toronto and served for three years at Keele Street Church of Christ. When his ministry ended in 1934, H.J. Bass took over his work in November of that same year. 

On November 24th, 1940, at Milton Church in Nova Scotia, there was a solemn-roll call service held. It was a special meeting held to give honour to departed worthies (both men and women) such as Howard Murray. Roy M. Johnston, along with Dr. Fred L. Wallace (from Halifax), was one of the preachers present for this historic event. 

Brother Johnston was the full-time minister at Milton for ten years. He resigned on May 1st in 1944. 

Following his stay in Milton, Roy and Bertha travelled to Prince Edward Island where they became workers at Summerside Church. This ministry lasted for two years, 1944 - 1946. Roy Johnston became seriously ill while at Summerside and therefore resigned as the full-time minister. His resignation went into effect on April 28th of 1946.

Roy eventually recovered fully and then decided to return to Digby County. He and his wife wanted to serve in the South Range - Southville area. Roy M. Johnston had previously been the preacher during the summer months of 1941 and 1942 in the South Range church. He and his wife, Bertha, had become familiar with the area and with the people in Digby County, and therefore wanted to return. 

After he had recovered from his illness and resigned at Summerside, both he and his wife travelled to Nova Scotia. They purchased a home in South Range and settled down. In 1953, the Johnston's donated five acres of their lake shore property. It was given to the Maritime Christian Missionary Society for the use of a campground. The camp was named Johnston Christian Park and was dedicated in 1953. This park has been used by all age groups for many different things such as: Maritime Youth Conferences, Maritime Christian Fellowships, Week Camps, week-end camps, Sunday School picnics and recreation. J.C.P. is a special part of South Range. 

Besides being a minister, Roy Marshall Johnston was also active in the Maritime Christian Missionary Society. He was a Secretary-Evangelist for the Society and con­tributed a great deal. He was forced to retire in 1955 due to serious ill health. 

Mr. Johnston was also known as a professor in Hom­iletics and Pastoral Theology at Cincinnati Bible Seminary. This was his profession for three years. After a long illness, Roy Johnston died on May 6th, 1958 in Digby General Hospital. His funeral was held on the next Friday at 2:30 p.m. at South Range Church of Christ. 

Roy Marshall Johnston was an inspirational leader and a great example to all those who knew him.