Grace Presbyterian purchases organ
- Members of Grace Presbyterian Church in Madison recently purchased a new Rodgers Classic Organ for its sanctuary. CONTRIBUTED
MADISON – The congregation of Grace Presbyterian Church, 5555 Wall Triana in Madison, is enjoying the rich sounds of an organ that they purchased for the church’s sanctuary.
“We are thrilled to be singing hymns of praise to the sounds of a new Rodgers Classic,” spokesperson Sandy Schwarz said.
Organist Laurie Porter said the new organ “has much of the same warmth and clarity as the beautiful pipe organs I played while an organ major as a student at the University of Montevallo. Each of the voices in the organ is a digital recording of actual wind-blown pipes from prominent organs around the world.”
These sounds then are amplified through a large eight-channel audio system that replicates each note. Each individual voice is routed through multiple channels simultaneously “to create an amazing pipe organ presence in the sanctuary,” Porter said.
“With hundreds of pipe organ voices available, this instrument has the resources to support music from hundreds of years ago … up to the newest compositions,” Porter said.
Grace Presbyterian pastor Rev. Robin Palmer is delighted with the church’s new organ. “The organ is the culmination of a fundraising effort by the congregation to replace the previous instrument, which was no longer could be repaired,” Palmer said.
Having worshipped without an organ for the past year, the congregation had become accustomed to singing with the accompaniment of the piano. With installation of the organ, “The hymns are full and rich again. We had forgotten how wonderful it is to sing with the powerful sound of a pipe organ,” Palmer said.
Grace Presbyterian is a vibrant, intergenerational congregation with strong programs for children and youth that support the church’s family ministries, Palmer said. All individuals are invited to worship services at 11 a.m. on Sundays. Study in a broad curriculum of Christian education begins at 9:30 a.m.
A special dedication service for the organ was held Sept. 25 at 11 a.m.
Grace Presbyterian held its first public service in 1988. The church campus is located on Wall Triana between Gooch Lane to the north and Gillespie Road to the south.
For more information, call 256-722-0508, email pastor@gracepcusa.org or visit gracepcusa.org.
