Harry & Allene Atkinson

Our Koinonia Experience

Harry Atkinson came to Koinonia from Stetson University, when Martin and Mabel England went back to Burma in 1944. He helped Clarence on the farm until 1945, when he decided to see what Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas, was like, so that he could get some ministerial training. Before leaving for Ft. Worth, Clarence Jordan's parting words were, "Pabby (this was Harry's nickname because Clarence's little son Jim, couldn't say Harry), don't go out there and marry the first pretty girl you meet."

Upon arrival at Southwestern, he parked the car in front of the Administration Building and went in to register. Behind the counter was Allene Griffin registering students. She must have made an impression on him, because before the end of the fall session, Harry knew he had met his future wife, and he went back to Koinonia to build a house for them to live in.

In April the following year, they were married at Rehoboth Baptist Church in a simple ceremony. The church was decorated by the ladies of the church who brought white flowers from their gardens to fill the florist’s baskets, and the men brought small pine trees from the woods for the background. Florence Jordan ordered a simple cake for the reception, which was held next door to the church. Clarence performed the ceremony at this wedding, which was held forty-six years ago on April 26. What a great privilege it is to be able to celebrate our 46th Anniversary at this Koinonia reunion!

After returning from our honeymoon, the little house that Harry was building was not yet finished. Sub-flooring had to be put down that afternoon so that a bed could be put up. Then black tar paper was put up around the room for a bit of privacy, though there were yet no doors or windows. Mosquito netting had to be purchased to go over the bed to keep the hordes of mosquitoes out. There was no bathroom in the house, so later a small bathroom was built on the back of Clarence's house downstairs, but no hot water heater was put in. Therefore, all showers were very invigorating, as the water came direct from the well, nice and cold.

We spent that first summer at Koinonia, then went back to Southwestern Seminary for two years. After returning to Koinonia, our son, Tommy, was born. We stayed at Koinonia until 1950 when we moved to a farm near Smithville with Jack and Gene Singletary, with the hope of starting another Koinonia, after which we moved to a farm near Plains along with the Singletarys. Probably around 1952 we returned to Koinonia and were there until the violence started. By that time we had three more children, Marilyn, Leanna and Fan Marie. It was then decided that we should go north to New Jersey with Rufus and Sue Angry and family that were living at Koinonia. We attempted to start another Koinonia in New Jersey but because of racial discrimination, the Angrys were not received well there either. Finally the New Jersey community disintegrated and we did not return to Koinonia, but went to the Society of Brothers in Rifton, New York. There our daughter Joyce, was born.

At present we are living in Alden, New York, near Buffalo. Our son, Tommy and Theresa and their family live near by. They have six children. Also, Fan and Darwin and their family of three children live nearby. Marilyn and her husband live in Taipei, Taiwan. Leanna and Matthew and their family of three children live in England. Joyce has recently moved to Pennsylvania.

Koinonia has been home to us. It is always a joy for us to return. We have many wonderful memories of our time there. We are thankful for this 50th reunion, when we hope to renew acquaintances with many people that we used to know.

Harry and Allene Atkinson by their still unfinished house at Koinonia in 1946 (photo by Harry and Allene Atkinson)

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