There’s Going To Be Some Rockin’

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Pipe organs are prestigious musical instruments that were once common fixtures in area churches. 

But aging components along with their antiquated technology makes maintenance and restoration a lofty endeavor. Grace United Methodist Church, located at Fifth and Shinnick Streets has spent 5-years renovating their 1924 Austin and plans to hold a free, public concert to celebrate the completion. 

“This Sunday at 4 p.m. we’re having an organ concert,” Grace United Methodist Church Organ Committee Member Rick Tuck said. “It’s the Mary Helen Cleary Straker Memorial Concert and it will be held at 4 p.m. here at Grace Church. It is free, so we encourage everyone to attend and there will be a reception with some goodies afterwards.”

The concert will feature a wide range of musical styles performed by Guest Organist Joshua Stafford, who is noted for his musicality and interpretive playing style. Attendees can anticipate hearing his approach to secular, sacred, contemporary and traditional.   

“The artist we have coming is a nationally known organist who is from Columbus,” Tuck said. “He’s at the First Congregational Church there, in charge of their music program. He has won awards nationally. He has played at places like Philadelphia, The Atlantic Boardwalk Organ, the Wannamaker Organ and has really, a well established national reputation.”

The 5-year renovation began as a congregational obligation but the complexity of the project turned it into a communitywide endeavor that became recognized by the J.W. and M.H. Straker Charitable Foundation.