A wonderful organ concert was enjoyed by a large audience at Hope United Methodist Church last Tuesday evening. Prior to the concert, an announcement was made that indicated my efforts had brought the organ to that church.

The compliment was generous and appreciated, but in truth should include many more people involved in the organ project. Much groundwork had been laid by the time I arrived on the scene. John Devlin, serving as organist at the time, had found the organ in a Michigan church, had traveled there to play it and ascertain if it was suitable to the worship space at Hope.

That was the beginning of a years’ long project to bring it to Marshalltown and install it at Hope. Then choir director, Jolene Kubli, member Jenny VanGundy and several others served on the first committee directing the project. The Michigan church was donating the organ simply for the work to remove it from their space.

The organ builder stored the organ, pipes and all, free of charge for many months prior to beginning the restoration and installation of the instrument. Many members of the congregation supported the project through generous donations, as no church funds were tapped to bring the project to completion.

Perhaps my contribution was simply bringing new energy to a project that had hit a lull. While I am proud of the work done to finish the organ installation, it was by no means done alone! It has and will continue to bring magnificent music to the congregation at Hope and to the audiences that will enjoy concerts there for many years to come.