On February 7, 1982 Roy Terry conducted his first service
at the Chapel as full time minister. He and his family had
been residents of Melbourne Beach since 1974. His last
appearance on the pulpit was on Christmas Eve of 1987, when
he led a candlelight service.
Chaplain, Major General Roy M. Terry, retired Air Force
Chief of Chaplains, was a native of Brooklyn, New York. He
graduated from Syracuse University in 1937 with a Bachelor
of Science degree and Yale University Divinity degrees in 1942. He served as
pastor of the Methodist Church in Georgetown, Connecticut from 1939 to 1942.
Joining the Army Air Corps in 1942, he attended Chaplain's
School and then went on to Tunisia, Sicily and Italy during
World War II. After the war he served in Connecticut,
Alabama, the Philippines, Nebraska, Massachusetts, Maryland,
the Office of the Air Force Chief of Chaplain, Japan and
Colorado before he became Deputy Chief and then Chief of
Air Force Chaplains. During World War II, he was recipient
of the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit Bronze
Star. When deactivated briefly after the war, he was
headmaster of a Connecticut boys' academy. Upon retirement
in 1974, General Terry became National Director of the
Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a post he held for three
years.
Chaplain Terry initiated year-round services at the
Chapel. He refused remuneration for the summer months and
would only accept a one year contract at the time. "He
moved the community into the Chapel, and the Chapel into
the community", observed The Reverend Paul Allen. He was
chaplain of the Greater South Brevard Area Chamber of
Commerce and Man of the Year in 1979. At the Chamber's
roast and toast of Chaplain Terry, he was described "as the
George Burns of the clergy". Mayor of Melbourne Beach,
Louis W. Conroy, Jr. related that Chaplain Terry often
entered City Hall with a "wouldn't it be a good idea
to ...." and often left with a commitment of 75 percent of
the staff.
Chaplain Terry initiated the Chamber-sponsored
Ecumenical Service and the Festival of Lessons and Carols
for area high school choirs, and was an integral part in
the growth of the Chamber prayer breakfast.
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He was a member of the
Retired Officers Association and the Patrick Air Force Base
Officers Club. His many honors include an honorary Doctor
of Laws degree, the B'nai B'rith Interfaith Award in 1972,
and four awards from the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge.
Chaplain
Terry was a
charter
member and
first
president of
the
Melbourne
Beach Rotary
Club. He was
elected
Man-of-the-Year
in 1986 and
was past
president of
the
Indialantic
Rotary Club.
He also
spearheaded
many civic
projects,
including
Founder's
Day at
Melbourne
Beach. As
the
centennial
program
coordinator,
he asked the
Chapel
congregation
to attend
service on
May 15, 1983
dressed in
the garb of
a hundred
years ago.
The Altar
Guild
decorated
and rode on
a float in
the
Centennial
Parade of
Melbourne
Beach
dressed in
costumes of
1883. |
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Chaplain Roy
M. Terry |
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He was fund-raising
chairman for the Melbourne Beach pier restoration project.
This historical land mark was built in 1889 and restored in
1985. It was listed on the National Register of Historic
Places on April 12, 1984.
Chaplain Terry was married to the former Emily F. Parks.
Their three children are Roy M. Terry III of Naples,
Florida; daughters, Pamela Terry-Racz of Indialantic,
Florida and Emily Cofer of Jacksonville, Florida. There
are five grandchildren, Roy M. Terry IV, Kathryn Terry,
Stacey Terry-Racz, Laura Cofer, and Anne Cofer.
The Chapel congregation became familiar with all the civic
projects and personal highlights which interested Chaplain
Terry. They also learned to love ''Peanuts '' as he did.
He initiated Maundy Thursday- day Communion service during
Holy Week, the Advent Wreath with the candle lighting, the
Bible study preceding church service for the weeks before
Christmas and Easter. He led the transformation of the
Manse into the Parish House. He distributed wedding
brochures to bridal couples, religious publications to the
congregation, and suggested the organization of the Altar
Guild in 1982. Under his leadership, attendance climbed to
100 worshippers each Sunday
He spearheaded the Men's Breakfast Club or "Vice-President's
Club", whose members performed necessary tasks around the
grounds, started the annual Men's Cookie Bake-Off contest at
Christmas time, and held fellowship with punch and cookies
after service on a quarterly basis.
He requested Miss Julia Fowler, a Chapel member, to write a
history of the Community Chapel for publication in The
First Hundred Years - History of Melbourne Beach by Frank
Thomas.
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Additional Chapel history pamphlets were printed and were
especially popular with the bridal couples.
Chaplain Terry used the young people as acolytes and
Scripture readers. He chose the theme of the Gospel
Windows of stained glass, dedicated April 28, 1984. He
incorporated the observance of Mothers' Day into Christian
Home Emphasis, which included mothers, fathers, parents and
children. A cassette ministry of his sermons was taken to
shut-ins. Radio Station WMEL broadcast the Christmas Eve
service each year. He preached a sermon, "Golf", which is
still fondly remembered Chaplain Terry's dream and goal for
the Chapel was to build Fellowship Hall by the Chapel
Centennial year 1992. The Roy M. Terry Center for
Christian Fellowship was dedicated January 10, 1992 on the
Chapel's 100th birthday. |
Roy Terry, age 72, died May 12, 1988. Funeral services
were held at the Chapel, led by The Reverend Paul Allen,
and at Patrick Air Force Base, conducted by the Chief of
Air Force Chaplains. Burial was at Fountainhead Cemetery
in the military section.
Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in the fall of 2004 tore the roof
off the Terry Center resulting in almost total destruction of the Center and
everything in it.
Reconstruction began in mid-2005 and re-opening and rededication were in
September 2005.
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