NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” refer to Friday, Sept. 12.
PORT TOWNSEND –– In 1889, the congregation of First Presbyterian Church installed a 40-foot-tall aid to worship.
A century and a quarter later, the elaborate pipe organ sounds as good as the day it was built by Whalley & Genung of Oakland, Calif.
The church will celebrate the 125th anniversary of the installation of the organ with a concert by University of Washington School of Music doctoral candidate Ah-Ra Yoo of classical and contemporary church music at 7 p.m. today in the church sanctuary at 1111 Franklin St.
“I heard her rehearse, and it’s going to be an amazing concert,” said Vicky Grauberger, office manager for the church.
“It sounds as good as new.”
A suggested donation of $15 per person will help cover costs and support the church’s Jean Marriott Music Scholarship Fund, which gives grants to local music students and some adult musicians in the community.
The first 50 people to make a $15 donation will receive a free copy of “Resounding Joy,” the CD recorded by the church’s former organist Elwood “Woody” Bernas in 2005.
Oldest organ
The organ, as old as Washington state, is the oldest continuously operating pipe organ in the state.
A native of Seoul, South Korea, Yoo has been playing the organ since she was 13.
After attending undergraduate school in Korea, she moved to the U.S. to pursue her master’s degree and doctorate in organ performance.
She has served as organist for the past four years at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Seattle while completing her doctorate.
Commissioned by the Ladies Aid Society and underwritten by local business owners, the organ at First Presbyterian Church was built in 1889 by the Whalley & Genung firm in Oakland for $2,500 and delivered by steamer to Port Townsend for installation.
The large pipes on the front of the organ feature original stenciling by J.E. Genung.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Joe Smillie can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, or at jsmillie@peninsuladailynews.com.
