Church Divinity School of the Pacific.

Biography

John Harrell (1922-1996) was born May 24, 1922 in Hollywood, CA. He graduated from Church Divinity School of the Pacific and was ordained into the Episcopal diaconate in 1947. Ordination as a priest followed in February 1948. John served as the curate at St. Luke's, Monrovia, CA 1947-48, then as Director of Religious Education, St. James, Los Angeles, 1948-52. From 1952-54, he was on the staff of Rampart Productions, then from 1954-57 was a consultant for Cathedral Films. John was, 1957-62, the Executive Director of the Division of Audio/Visual Education, Department of Christian Education, for the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church in New York. He and Mary Pyburn were married June 6, 1959 at St. Francis' Church, Stamford, CT.

Mary Jane Pyburn (1913 - 1985) was born September 21, 1913 in Salem, MA. Having begun a business course at Burdett College, she had to stop when a sister contracted polio. She went to work at a Woolworth Store to help with the medical expenses. She was always active in the Episcopal church in Sunday School and youth activities. When her sisters were older, Mary returned to school. After a year's course at St. Faith's School, St. John the Divine Cathedral in New York, she transferred to and completed the course at Philadelphia Divinity School in Pennsylvania. She then served as Director of Religious Education at the Church of the Ascension in Cleveland, OH for ten years. In 1956, she became editor of pre-school materials for the Department of Christian Education, National Council of the Episcopal Church.

John and Mary Harrell moved to Berkeley, CA in 1962 to begin independent production of audiovisual materials. Their production company was named York House since they lived at 148 York in Kensington, California. In an interview with Church Resource Systems Update, Summer 1982, the Harrells spoke of their work: "Christian education resources should contain 'theological guts, strong education value, and artistic integrity,' states Episcopalian John Harrell, producer of films, film-strips, and written resources. He and his wife Mary started producing resources for parish use in 1962 because 'we were dissatisfied with the quality of audiovisuals available in the market then.' The Harrells controlled every step in their productions. 'We are the writers, the producers; I even compose some of the music. . . . We are fortunate as a small organization to have our hands at every level and to maintain quality control.' . . . Harrell also believes an independent publisher can be more daringly creative, . . . tackling subjects . . . 'that involve a risk, a gamble -- and creativity.'" (see biographies, Box 1 ff 1)

John Harrell was a creative person. He was active throughout his life and career not only as a producer and publisher of audio-visual materials, but also as a poet, composer, musician, storyteller, and artist, particularly in drawing and sculpture. His creative projects were used both for the work of his York House publications, and for his private use either in his home or for his friends.