A Note From Father Rob

We at St. James are very fortunate to have such a wonderful pipe organ. If you have never been in our choir loft to inspect it, I encourage you to do so.

The first known pipe organ, built in Greece in the third century B.C., used water to create air pressure in its pipes. By the seventh century, bellows had been developed to supply the constant air pressure needed for the organ to operate. In 757 A.D., Constantine V sent a gift of a pipe organ to Pepin the Short, King of the Franks. Years later Pepin’s son, Charlemagne, requested a similar organ for his personal chapel, thereby establishing the organ as the instrument of the Western Church. The first pipe organ in England was built in Winchester Cathedral in the 10th century. It was a huge machine with 400 pipes. It required 70 men working bellows, to create enough air to operate it, and two organists to play it.

Unfortunately, organists are getting harder and harder to come by, and since the well-deserved retirement of Barbara Barnes, our organ has been silent. But that will change this Sunday.

Join us at our 10 o’clock service to welcome our new organist, Nancy Jones, to St. James. Nancy lives in Auburn and has many years of experience playing the pipe organ. Nancy is trying out the position on a rent-to-own basis until Easter, after which she will determine whether or not the drive is too far for her to continue.

Let’s work at welcoming Nancy so lovingly that her drive will seem inconsequential!

Peace my friends. Rob+