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2123 Forest Ave.
Great Bend,
Kansas 67530
(620) 792-2148
Sunday Worship:
8:30 & 10:30 AM
Sunday School:
9:30 AM
Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday
8:00 AM - 12 Noon
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 12 Noon
Ministries Overview
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Music
*Chancel Choir
*Austin Organ
Austin Organ
ORGAN REDEDICATION CONCERT & RECEPTION
3:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
In September 1926, the First United Methodist Church congregation dedicated their Austin pipe organ. Eighty-two years later, the congregation rededicated this grand instrument after spending approximately $70,000 to refurbish and improve it. Brett Valliant, senior organist and Director of Worship, Music, and
the Arts at First United Methodist Church, Wichita, Kansas, played the dedicatory concert at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, September 14, in the church sanctuary.
Though not yet installed in January 1924, at the time of the building dedication, the order for the pipe organ had been placed at a cost of $12,200. In 1970, during the sanctuary remodeling, the organ was cleaned and releathered. In 1985, the Board of Trustees authorized changes to the organ, removing some ranks of original pipes, replacing them with stops that were more contemporary.
In 2007, the Board of Trustees again authorized repairs and changes to the pipe organ at the request of the church organist, Brad Shirer. The authorized changes included the installation of a Peterson integrated console control system, and replacement of the existing original console wiring and key contacts, retaining the three manual keyboards, pedalboards, and combination action pistons. The organ's stop list was also enlarged by seven ranks. Four extant ranks of pipes were revoiced for tonal compatibility with the original voicing style of the organ.
A committee comprised of Justin Engleman, chairman, Patricia Baxter, Irv Gotsche, Brad Shirer and Sarah Shirer led the fundraising campaign for the organ renovation. The funds for the renovation of the organ came through many generous church members, friends, and one anonymous major benefactor.
Click below to view
The Organ Concert Poster
The Organ Rededication Program