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2049 Meetinghouse Way, West Barnstable, MA 02668
of the West Parish Congregational Church
and Member of the Organ Committee
June 24, 2005
Today is a day of celebration!
We are here to listen to the musical sounds of a new memorial pipe organ which began as a dream more than five years ago and is now a reality.
The last five years have been filled with the efforts of many to study, research, to question, to listen and to give generously in order to realize the installation of a suitable instrument.
The Meetinghouse now has such an instrument which has the capability of issuing gentle, dulcet sounds but it can also stir and excite us with full, magnificent tones.
It is an instrument that will help to lead our worship by supporting our congregational hymn singing; it will help to establish a prayerful and meditative setting;
it will help to convey our joy and enthusiasm in the celebration of our faith; it will help to comfort and console in times of need and it will assist the choir in their musical leadership.
The instrument that we are celebrating today is the third pipe organ to be placed in the Meetinghouse but, at last, we have an instrument that belongs here.
In addition to its magnificent sounds, its appearance is a visual reflection of the architectural details of the Meetinghouse thus giving us all the impression that it has always been here.
It is our intention that it will be useful for many, many generations to come.
The pipe organ is a visual testimony to an underlying reality, the unity of purpose of the church and the West Parishsm Memorial Foundation, Inc., the not-for-profit corporation set up by Elizabeth Crocker Jenkins and her contemporaries in the 1950s, to fund the restoration and preservation of the Meetinghouse.
The Church and the Foundation jointly staffed the Organ Committee, jointly approved the design and specifications, are sharing equally in the cost of this magnificent instrument.
Some say that this is the last step in the restoration of this 1717 Meetinghouse.
Music has always been an important element in worship services at West Parish.
This pipe organ has the ability to convey much of the great organ literature.
As a feature of the Meetinghouse, the new organ can be enjoyed by the whole community.
We look forward to many more opportunities for everyone to hear and enjoy this fine instrument.
Babette F. Bach
Director of Music and Organist
West Parish of Barnstable ~ A Church in the Congregational Tradition
Babette is the Chair of the Foundation Program Committee.
Director of Music/Organist for West Parish Church (1997-2008)
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