Pastor Mark Johnson has given more than half his life to First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mount Vernon. And after more than three decades of service, he likely deserves a break.

“I never expected to stay here 31 years, but I’ve had no reason to leave,” Johnson said. “I haven’t had a weekend off in 30 plus years.”

Johnson’s tenure as pastor of the church came to a close Sunday in similar fashion to how it started in 1977 — in front of good friends, family and the community. Although the 62-year-old will be officially retiring this fall, his last day as pastor was this past weekend and he’ll be taking an extended vacation this summer.

“It’s bittersweet,” he said Thursday. “There’s something about going out on top. I’ve talked with coaches and teachers who said they retired too late. I didn’t want that to happen to me.”

Johnson has seen a number of changes during his career in Mount Vernon. When he first started, he said the city’s population was only about 11,000. Now, its close to 30,000.

That increase hasn’t affected the church much, as the denomination’s regular attendees have remained relatively steady over the years. Modest changes in scheduling, such as First Evangelical adding a Monday service to go along with its two Sunday services were due in part to help cater to different people, Johnson said.

“Some people like the Monday service because it’s more peaceful for them,” he said.

Johnson said he has always put emphasis on tailoring his church to the community. Many know him as a pastor, but likely just as many know him from his membership in Rotary, as a Mount Vernon Police chaplain or as a high school referee.

His duties as chaplain — a position in which he helps police staff after traumatic incidents on duty — have also led to extended training as a hostage negotiator.

“Luckily, we’ve had a lot of training but not much action,” he said.

For the past 14 years, Johnson has spent the fall months refereeing football. Two years after he started, he began hitting the mat to referee wrestling.

He’s suited up for numerous district playoff contests, and has even been the head official during two state championship games, including this past year’s Class 1A title game in Tacoma.

“(Refereeing) football is much more complex, but wrestling is much more intense,” Johnson said. “In wrestling, you have to make a decision much quicker.”

Staying in shape is key to the job, so Johnson runs or bicycles about four miles per day.

All three interests have kept Johnson busy outside of the church.

“I’ve always liked this community, that’s why we’re not going anywhere,” he said.

Starting this fall, the church will be hiring an interim pastor to take over for Johnson. After about a year, a permanent pastor will jump into the position at First Evangelical. That one-year period is to ease the transition between pastors, he said.

Last week he said he wasn’t sure how the newly acquired free time will treat him.

“I’m not sure what it will be like,” Johnson said. “It’s going to be a different life. I’m definitely not going to be sitting around, though.”

The community wouldn’t have it any other way.