Photo Galleries

Whence Cometh the Sounds of These New Winds?  ~ Ron Hanft Our pipe organ began its life with us in 1865 as Opus 183 of the William A. Johnson company of Westfield MA.  Prior to 1865 the church used a melodeon, a small reed organ.  In a renovation of the sanctuary in 1855-56, a new melodeon was purchased that coincided with preparation of an organ and choir loft at the rear of the balcony above the narthex. The change to a pipe organ in the chancel area in 1865 was a significant enlargement of the sound and the role of this instrument in worship and in the music life of the congregation.  But it didn't end there.  With minor changes along the way, the most significant changes and enlargements were made in 1955 and 1980-82.  Since then, some subtle but important features began to fail.  Now, with the current refurbishment of our organ, its full capacity has been restored. More history of the organ and our church can be found in the book “How Firm a Foundation” which will be available to purchase in the Jonathan Edwards Room following the concert.   Our Thanks To: We are deeply grateful to the firm Messrs. Czelusniak et Dugal, Inc. of Northampton, Massachusetts for their excellent renovation and restoration work which is being funded through the church’s most recent capital campaign. Thank you to today’s guest organists: Brian Hoffman, Tim Pyper, Ed Lawrence and Nick Reid; to the musicians and presenters from the First Congregational Church of Stockbridge: Rich Geiler, Amy Shake and John Demler, choir section leaders; Tracy Wilson, Music Director Pro Tempore; Ron Hanft, Moderator; Rev. Brent Damrow, Pastor. Thank you to the members of the church’s Board of Music: Michael Deegan, Linda Hoddy, Janet Canning, Mary Hoeltzel and Brian Farrell; members of the Service League for helping at the reception: Margaret Hornick, Helen McCormick and Ann Brink; our ushers: Bruce Wilkens, Ronnie Cunningham, and Liza and Joe Catino; to Patty Strauch for audio-visual assistance; and Cindy Brown for photography. Thank you to Cathy Clark and Anne Hutchinson for the flowers.  Thank you to Nejaime’s Wine Cellars for the reception toast beverage, and Charlotte and Don Rogers for the paper products.