Music Ministry Historical Timeline

Christ Church celebrates a long and successful history of Music Ministry. Here are some of the highlights:

1804 - The early music ministry history of Christ Church parallels the trends in colonial America. Wanting to be seperate from their counterparts in England, the Methodist Societies in America used a cappella singing as their means of praising God through music instead of pipe organs and robed choirs. Many of the societies met in homes. Camp meetings were the usual place where new songs were learned. Early congregational songs were short and simple. Many were learned by "lining out" the song. That is, a song leader would sing a line and those gathered would sing it back. The circuit riders carried pocket hymnals that were sold to the local societies. This trend continued into the late 19th c. in this part of the United States now called West Virginia. As the society grew, they built their first church home, a log cabin, in 1821. In 1834, the congregation moved into Asbury Chapel, a new, larger building. Asbury Chapel served the congregation until after the Civil War.

1874 - The congregation, after the split during the Civil War, built their third church called "State Street Methodist Episcopal Church."

1904 - The congregation hired their first "official" choir director, Mr. George E. Thomas, who was paid $10 a week to direct the choir. They also hired their first organist, Mrs. Jennie Gilchrist. The congregation installed their first pipe organ in 1904: Moller Organ, Opus 477 of two manuals, 14 ranks, 21 stops, 799 pipes, tubular pneumatic action (photo above, 1908) Andrew Carnegie helped fund the purchase of the organ.

1908 - The State Street church was sold and property was purchased to build a new, larger church. The members of the congregation moved into the newly constructed YMCA for the next two years. The organ, installed in 1904, was also moved to the YMCA and erected on the stage of the auditorium. The 1904 organ was later sold to Simpson Methodist Episcopal Church.

1910 - The congregation occupies their new church home (photo above.) A new pipe organ by the Hann-Wangerin-Weickhardt company was installed in 1911. The organ was two manuals, 18 ranks, 32 stops, 935 pipes, tubular pneumatic action. The organ was patterned after the organs in the great cathedrals of Europe. A set of Durfee tubular bells was installed in the bell tower and playable from the organ console (as well as manually by a series of pull-down levers.) Unfortunately, this bell system failed to operate in 1937 and fell silent. During this busy time, several people served in the role of organist, director, or both.

1922 - Mr. Charles Greybill (photo, above, 1955) came to Christ Church as a substitute organist, was hired as the regular organist...and stayed for 54 years! In 1933, he assumed the role of both music director and organist. During his tenure as the leader of the Music Ministry, the program grew into one of the largest church music programs in the state. The adult choir regularly performed large-scale choral works.

1927 - Elsie Kincheloe started at Christ Church what is believed to have been the FIRST church-based children's choir in the state of West Virginia. (Photo, above)

1944 - An English Bell Amplification System was installed in the bell tower. These bells were actually 45 metal rods which were hung in a case, amplified when struck, and broadcast over speakers located in the bell tower. This system was purchased in honor of the women and men of the church who served in World War II.

1955 - The Hann-Wangerin-Weickhardt organ was rebuilt and enlarged by the Hillgreen & Lane organ company (photo above, 1958.) The new organ was electrified and enlarged to 3 manuals, 33 ranks, 41 stops, 1903 pipes. The original facade remained.

1969 - The sanctuary was destroyed by fire. Architect Ed Sovik was hired to rebuild the church. The structure was rebuilt in his signature style and reoccupied in 1973.

1975 - After years of study and debate, a new pipe organ built by the Holtkamp Organ Company was installed in the Centrum, the main worship space designed by architect Ed Sovik (photo above.) The organ is 3 manuals, 40 ranks, 31 stops, 2145 pipes, tracker action. It was the first in a long list of dreams for the music ministry of the newly rebuilt Christ Church. 1975 also marked the retirement of Charles Greybill after 54 years of service, at the age of 79.

1975 - Roy Knight was hired as the Director of Music & Organist (photo, above.)

1976 - The congregation purchases its first 4 octave set of Schulmerich handbells.

1977 - The Verdin Bell Company of Cincinnati, OH, reactivate the Durfee Tubular Bells located in the gothic bell tower, which survived the 1969 fire.

1979 - The congregation purchased a Hubbard harpsichord kit, which was then assembled by Charleston resident Robert Myerly. The harpsichord was patterened after the renowned instruments built by Pascal Taskin. At the same time, a 5 recorder consort was also donated to the church.

1981 - The congregation purchased the 5th octave of Schulmerich handbells.

1982 - Peter Dubois joined the staff of the church as Director of Music & Organist (photo, above.)

1985 - In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Holtkamp Organ, Peter started a program of "mini" recitals, which were held on the third Sunday of the month immediately after the 11:00 morning worship service. In 1987, Peter placed second in the American Guild of Organist Young Artists Competition.

1986 - The music ministry presented their first version of the Lessons and Carols Service patterned after the traditional service held on Christmas Eve in King's College Chapel, Cambridge, England.

1991 - The congregation, led by the Worship & Arts Committee, presents their first Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival.

1992 - David Donathan joins the staff as Director of Music Ministries & Organist (photo above.)

1993-1994 - The Chancel Choir makes their first professional recording and takes their first trip to England. Also, David released his first book through Abingdon Press, entitled How Does Your Choir Grow.

1997 - An Estey Pipe organ from 1904, which was donated to the church, was renovated and installed in the chapel replacing an electronic instrument. The organ is 2 manuals, 9 ranks, 14 stops, tubular pneumatic action.

1998 & 2004 - The Chancel Choir makes additional trips to England and Scotland. The Chancel Choir and Chancel Ringers make their second professional recording in 1998. In 2004, the congregation celebrates its bicentennial, and the music ministry celebrates its centennial!

2005 - The congregation reacquired the 1904 Moller Organ, their first pipe organ, after it was offered for sale by Simpson United Methodist Church, who purchased it in 1914. Current plans are to use the pipes from this historic organ and install them in an antiphonal organ to be built in the Centrum by the Holtkamp Organ Company.

2006 - A book, Some Action Ought To Be Taken, is released by the church. The book, written by David Donathan, is a 200 year history of the music ministry. Information for this webpage was extracted from this book.

2007 - The Worship & Arts Committee, with the blessing of the Board of Trustees, signed a contract with the Holtkamp Organ Company of Cleveland, Ohio, for the initial design of the proposed antiphonal organ using the organ pipes acquired in 2005. The computer rendering of this instrument and its proposed specifications can be found on The Pipe Organs of Christ Church web page. The Way! (Worship Arts for Youth) was created as a new ministry for youth 6th-12th grade.

For more information about the history of Christ Church, click here.

For more information about the pipe organs currently located in Christ Church, including the proposed antiphonal organ, click here.