Organ Transplant News: The New Organ is officially Fit and Healthy! On Tuesday, March 16, 2010, David and Susan Finch pronounced our organ completely renovated and ready for use. The herculean task of dismantling the 3000 pipes, wind chests, console, steel, and framing at First Baptist, moving them to Westminster, finding new places for these pieces in our space, installing a 2000 pound blower, massive wind pipes, and some very sophisticated electronic technology is now officially complete. The Finches won't be back until April 18--for our Dedication Concert--except for emergencies, which we don't anticipate. The final result is amazing to behold.

We are grateful to First Baptist for selling this organ to us at a steep discount, and to Patrick Ward, our contractor, and Frank Roberts, the gifted foreman, Clyde Garner (of Garner Electric), David Garraway (sound and lighting), and many other people who worked together so well to produce such a magnificent result. Our steering committee of Martha Ann Hogrefe, Butch Nobles, Althea Jerome, and Gene Owens did a great job coordinating and moving things forward.

Thanks to the generosity of many people we were able to hold down our borrowing to less than one-third of the cost of the project, and we hope to repay BancorpSouth over the next couple of years.

Sneak preview of a developing Organ history and specification page? Click here.

The following is excerpted from a note sent to Westminster from a musician who heard about our new organ.

From: St. Anthony of Padua Music Department
Sent: Friday, October 16, 2009 11:33 AM

How excited I was to see that your church has purchased and is installing this wonderful organ in your sanctuary.

Your congregation--and you as leaders--are to be commended for having such foresight as to lead in this effort.

Please know that you are getting one of the finest church pipe organs in the south. I studied and played on old Kilgin for many years and them was privileged to work with Mrs. McWhorter and Dr. Winters in planning the rebuild and installation of the Reuter which you are getting. The organ turned out so beautifully--our wonderful consultant, Dr. Al Travis, was excellent in helping develop the combining of the old and new into the very versatile instrument which it is.

Blessing and best wishes to your church--I can't wait to visit Hattiesburg again next year and once again hear that wonderful instrument. Thank you for your foresight.

Harry Mercer, Director of Music and Liturgy
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
316 N Sherwood Ave
Clarksville, IN 47129

Updated  04/24/2010