A dream can be short and soon forgotten. A vision comes into focus slowly and a sustained effort is required to attain it. The dream of a new pipe organ came slowly. After prayer and effort by many persons it was wonderfully fulfilled.
The Austin organ, built in 1947, was brought from the church on Cedar Street to the new church on Delta River Drive. Over the years since that move in 1967 some repairs had been carried out. Assessments by organ technicians had indicated there would be considerable expense to extending its life. Action was postponed. In February of 1992 a conversation between the pastor and the chairperson of the Music Committee set in motion what was intended to be another assessment of the Austin organ.
During March of 1992, the Music Committee presented the need for attention to the organ to the Worship Committee, the Trustees and the Finance Committee. Following these meetings, it was agreed that an organ consultant would be sought to guide the congregation in the decisions which lay ahead. Through the research by Pamela Duffey-Nairn, organist, it was our good fortune to discover Dr. James Kibbie for that role.
It was July 1, 1992 when Dr. Kibbie came and evaluated the Austin organ. Subsequently, Dr. Kibbie met with each of the committees mentioned above to share his report. In August, he met with the Administrative Board and explained our options, one of which was to commission a new pipe organ. The Board approved with two abstentions, the motion:
"That First United Methodist Church purchase a new Pipe Organ and that at the October Church Conference the full membership vote on the issue."
An Organ Selection Committee was formed and asked to "contact prospective organ builders so that specific details can be given at the Church Conference regarding cost". A separate committee was formed to investigate methods of raising funds.
The Church Conference met on October 1, 1992. After a brief presentation by Dr. Kibbie, and several questions from the floor, it was moved that:
"We purchase a new pipe organ and authorize the Organ Committee to proceed with specifics to be voted on at a Church Conference when plans are finalized."
The vote was yes-42, no-21 with one abstention.
A series of meetings with builders led the Organ committee to select the proposal by Fernand Létourneau of Ogues Létourneau, Ltée. This recommendation, together with the plan for financing was brought to the second Church Conference on January 27, 1993. The vote was 25 to 5 with 3 abstentions.
There were details to be worked out, and the design, specifications and stop list of the organ had to be finalized. On June 28, 1993, nearly one year after Dr. Kibbie made his assessment of the Austin organ, the contract for the new organ was officially signed. The cost was $210,000.00.
The next year was spent waiting, receiving gifts and paying the progressive payments. Miracle Sunday was Passion/Palm Sunday, 1994, when $51,000 was given to the Organ Fund. This success was a lift in both faith and self confidence.
The Chancel Renovation committee was formed in June of 1994. Robert W. Smith of Freeman, Smith & Associates, Inc. of Lansing was selected to draw a proposed sketch of the chancel. This is the same firm that designed the present church. Mr. Smith was later engaged to serve as architect for the project. Scott R. Riedel, a consultant in ecclesiastical acoustics, from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, was asked to work with the committee and architect. Catherine E. Hornbach, Interior Design, was also a valuable consultant. Subsequently, the committee's recommendations were approved by Church Conference on November 15, 1994.
In august of 1994 the Chairperson of the Administrative Board, Mildred Richardson, a member of the Organ Committee, Roger Stone, organist Pamela Duffey-Nairn, and Pastor Mark Graham traveled to Ogues Létourneau, Ltée in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada. Upon visiting with the craftsmen and seeing the facilities, they were filled with enthusiasm. Only the keyboard and a few parts of our organ had been made at that time, but pictures of the organ under construction helped tell the congregation to expect a quality instrument.
The sale of bonds to church members began December 7, 1994. A total of $62,000 was subscribed. The Century of Music Campaign pledges on February 2, 1995 totaled $44,500. Additional gifts and memorials came in from time to time.
The first visible sign of change in the church came immediately after the service of Holy Communion on January 3, 1995. David Weingartner, an organ technician from Ohio, began the removal of the Austin organ. (He rebuilt it for installation in Epiphany Lutheran Church of Pickerington, Ohio.) The organ removal was followed by the renovation work.
K & D General Contractors, Inc. of Williamston, Michigan completed the extensive renovation. Larry Doty, a carpenter, and F. D. Hayes Electric also helped. Jud Cordes and Ed Baker served as liaison persons on behalf of the renovation committee. The renovation cost was $50,000. Worship continued in the nave portion of the church while the entire chancel was screened off by vinyl from the ceiling to the floor.
It was Monday morning June 5, 1995 when the new organ arrived! Volunteers (14 men and 1 woman) helped unload the parts and pipes from the large moving van. Ed Kivela, Roger Stone and Dan Reid assisted three Létourneau craftsmen in assembling the organ. The work was finished at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 9. The following week a father and son team began to voice and tune, and by June 27 the new organ was ready to play. In the presence of Fernand Létourneau, Ed Kivela, Roger Stone, Pastor Mark Graham, the voicing team and a few others, Dr. Kibbie played the new organ. His response was, "It is wonderful".
The first Sunday service was played on July 9 by William McHarris who succeeded Pamela Duffey-Nairn as organist. The first notes played were the Doxology. The new pipe organ project ended and a new era of worship through music began with "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow." The dream that gradually awakened is now wonderfully fulfilled.
The dedication of the Létourneau Ogues Opus 41 on Sunday morning, September 17, 1995 was a celebration of faith, dreams and the power of God. The recital in the afternoon by Dr. James Kibbie demonstrated the extensive resources which are resident in this wonderful instrument.
We are Grateful to all who have given their time, talent and gifts, and to God we give all praise and thanksgiving for such an accomplishment.