Organ Transplant News: Are you ready to hear the new organ? Stay tuned! We are approaching 6 months of waiting for the new organ. The wait is almost over. In August, 2009 we signed a contract with First Baptist Church to purchase their organ. We vacated our sanctuary on August 17 to allow our organ builders, David and Susan Finch of Mobile, Alabama, space to reconstruct the new organ in our space. We also needed to redesign the front of the chancel area to accommodate this large, 3000-pipe organ. Thanks to excellent cooperation between our contractor, Southeast Contractors (Patrick Ward), Garner Electric, David Garraway (sound and lighting expert who donated his time), and others, we were able to move back into our sanctuary in November. On February 2, 2010 musical notes were heard for the first time in our sanctuary from the Kilgen Organ. David and Susan Finch are committed to voicing the pipes and getting our new organ operational before Easter.

So far, we have raised over $215,000 in pledges and gifts, which means we have not had to borrow extensively on our line of credit with BancorpSouth. At this point we owe the bank $80,000. We are hoping to be able to pay as we go and not increase our borrowing for this project. Please continue to support this project so we can keep our borrowing low and repay the loan as quickly as possible!

We are in the process of planning a Service of Dedication that will allow the Hattiesburg community a chance to hear this beautiful instrument. We have tentatively set April 18, 2010 as the BIG DAY. More on this later. Stay “tuned.”

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  02/15/2010