He gave a testimony of how his strong faith in Christ came about because of the impact this church had on him while he was growing up in Busti. He returned to his hometown with a heart full of gratitude.

“I’ve always considered Busti Federated my home church,” he said.

The Southwestern Central High School graduate spoke about his book and the journey it took him through as he dove deep into the history — tracing the 107 pastors who served the two original churches since their inception in 1819. The book includes compelling stories about the history of the pastors, and their families, some of whom were present in the congregation. It also includes a timeline of the church history and describes how the Busti Baptist and Methodist churches merged in 1923 and became the Busti Federated Church, which makes this year its 100th anniversary.

Among the notes in the book is the history of the honoree names on the stained-glass windows in the church. The most recent stained-glass window was donated in memory of Pillsbury’s parents, Elizabeth and Russell Pillsbury, who were lifelong supporters of the church and participated in hundreds of church activities.

Norman Pillsbury is pictured presenting his book, “The History of the Busti Federated Church.” Submitted photos

Pillsbury expressed heartfelt thanks to members of the church who had helped him with the research for the book including Norman Carlson, Karen Putnam, Julie Fried, Colleen Anderson, his brother Douglas Pillsbury, and others. He acknowledged each of the families present in the congregation who were descendants of historical church figures. He presented the book to Julie Fried, ministry team leader, who received it on behalf of the church. Members of the congregation met the author after the service during a time of fellowship and refreshments in the narthex.

June 15th is the deadline for ordering this 350-page book. The book is available at cost. It is an 8.5-by-11-inch hardcover book with a thread-sewn binding. For an order form with more information, email Pillsbury at movienight14@gmail.com or pick one up at the church.

Norman H. Pillsbury was born and raised in Busti, where he graduated from Southwestern Central School in 1963. He then graduated from the College of the Siskiyous in Weed, Calif., in 1963, and from Humboldt State University with a degree in forestry. After two years in the U.S. Navy SEABEES, he started his graduate programs earning a masters degree in watershed management at Humboldt in 1972, and a Ph.D. degree in Earth Resources/Watershed Sciences in 1976 from Colorado State University, Fort Collins. Pillsbury then secured a teaching job in 1974 at Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, Calif., teaching forestry and hydrology. In four years, he became department head and during the next 21 years, he led the 400-student program to national accreditation and established three degree programs: B.S. degrees in forestry, and environmental management and an M.S. degree program in Forestry Sciences. He loved teaching both undergraduate and graduate students.

He was appointed to many state and national committees during the 40 years he taught there and conducted research in the following fields: hardwood management, satellite analysis of forestry lands, biometrics, landslide and erosion studies, forest restoration projects in Costa Rica, and mapping 10 million acres of oak woodlands in California. He published well over 100 research articles plus 14 family genealogy books. He has been an elder or deacon in the various churches he’s attended and has been on church committees regarding finances, membership, maintenance, evangelism and youth.

He married Connie Ann Jones and together they have four children and 16 grandchildren ranging in age from 19 to 3.