By Darrell Halen

During 18 years of her service as organist at the First Congregational Church of Salem, Ruth L. Henning did not miss one weekly service.

Henning was the organist for a long stretch of time – beginning in the late 1960s or early 70s and continuing until 2004.

And she was an important part of the church in other ways, too: senior choir director for about a dozen years, 47 years as church council secretary, six years as treasurer, and several offices held in Philathea, the church’s women’s fellowship group.

In recognition of her outstanding service to the church, its congregation dedicated a conference room in her name.

“It’s no surprise,” said one of Henning’s nieces, Nancy Callahan, following the Sunday, Dec. 9, worship service where Henning was honored. “I can’t ever remember a time when she wasn’t active with the church, especially in music, but in every aspect of the church.”

“She led by example,” added Callahan, who has served 27 years as clerk at her Congregational church in North Falmouth, Mass. “I’m following it but I’ll never catch up to her.”

Henning was honored almost 55 years to the day she joined the church: Dec. 7, 1952.

Shortly after she arrived, she began playing piano and organ duets with Mary Ritchie – Henning on the piano, Ritchie on the organ.

When Ritchie retired from the job of church organist, Henning assumed the role. She stayed on until three years ago when she had a knee replacement.

For 18 consecutive years, she never missed a weekly service, even on days she didn’t feel well.

“I love this church,” said Henning, who turns 94 in January. “I love the people – that’s why.”

During the Dec. 9 worship service, Rev. Jessica McArdle, the church’s pastor, expressed her appreciation to Henning for her years of service and the congregation gave her a standing ovation.

Chuck Stern, a member of the church’s stewardship committee, presented Henning with a plaque.

Henning’s 55 years of service, according to the plaque, serve as an outstanding example of her stewardship and the congregation is honoring her with loving admiration.

“She truly gave joyously,” Stern said after the service, adding that Henning took little pay for her work. “You’re hard pressed to find someone who is just so willing to give freely. She’s just a marvelous woman.”

Following the service, during fellowship hour, a celebration cake was enjoyed by members. It was baked by church member Nancy Parsons.

Several well-wishers hugged Henning and told her she deserved the honor.

“She’s just wonderful,” said church member Betty Sears. “She’s very caring about all the activities of the church, not just music.”

“I think it’s a much deserved honor,” said another of Henning’s nieces, Priscilla Cravino of East Kingston. “She’s just been dedicated to this church. She’s an inspiration to all of us.”

Henning wore a corsage, a gift from her church family. A bouquet of flowers was a gift from Wendy Lisbon, another of Henning’s nieces, along with Lisbon’s husband, Joseph, and her children Alexander and Adrianne Leriche. They live in Florida.

The conference room is multipurpose space that is used for meetings, storage, Christian education and sometimes for choir rehearsals. A plaque on the door officially recognizes it as the Ruth L. Henning Conference Room.