Elgin church celebrates 175th anniversary with organ concert, Heritage Walk

Submitted by First United Methodist Church

On Sunday, May 20, join First United Methodist Church for its 175th Anniversary Organ Concert and Heritage Walk. The Heritage Walk will start at 1 p.m. and continue until 2:30 p.m. First United Methodist Church is at 216 E. Highland Ave., Elgin.

The Organ Concert starts at 3 p.m. Former First United Methodist organist Ted Gysan will accompany a hymn sing and play a wide repertoire of Christian music on the church’s organ. Listen to the music of Bach, Langlais, Leavitt, along with original compositions by Gysan himself.

Gysan began organ lessons at the age of 9 and starting playing at various churches by the age of 10. He attended Capital University with an organ performance degree. He worked in the publishing business for 27 years. In 2001, he retired to become a full-time musician. He currently is the associate director of music for Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Naperville. He is responsible for playing at four Masses per weekend, rehearsals with two choirs, along with playing for funerals and weddings.

The Austin Pipe Organ at First UMC was originally installed in 1924. In 1967, as a product of the Organ Reform movement, led by E. Power Biggs and Albert Schweitzer, the organ was removed and rebuilt extensively. In 2006, a new, custom 4-manual console was installed — it was built by Rodgers Instruments, LLC of Hillsboro, Ore. In 2007, the organ was expanded with an additional 20 ranks of pipes, bringing the total to 60 pipe ranks. Most noticeable (in the rear gallery) is the solid brass, Trompette en Chamade built by Fratelli Ruffatti of Padua, Italy. The project was coordinated by Steve Smith and his staff from Triune Music, the Midwest representatives for Rodgers and Ruffatti Pipe Organs. The vision for this instrument allowed technology and art to come together into a single design concept, a concept which combines the wonder of electronics with the magic of windblown pipes.