Category: Music Excellence

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A Legacy of Excellence – The Beckerath’s Golden Jubilee 1972-2022

Its very exciting when a church decides to build a new organ as our friends at First Community know. It was exciting here at First Church when the Beckerath was announced to the Community in June of 1972. It was dedicated with a series of three performances over 5 weeks. The first performance on Sunday October 15, 1972 featured a world renowned organist from the Academy of Music in Vienna. (More on that later) Here is an article from the First Church archives (June 1972) introducing the arrival of the Beckerath to the Columbus Community. This magnificent instrument has brought countless people to our sanctuary through the Congregational Concerts series over the last 50 years. It has enhanced our worship and earned us a reputation of offering a worship experience that is among the very finest in the City!

Rudolph von Beckerath Gallery Organ 1972
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Legacy of Excellence – Carol Hussey

From the Columbus Dispatch Sunday May 3, 1964

Whitechapel Bells Made in England c. 1957

Both Carol (d. Nov. 4, 2015) and husband Frank (d. July 31, 2017) were devoted musicians and longtime members of First Church. Frank was an accomplished organist. Frank and Carol were devoted supporters of the music at First Church. In their obituaries both requested that “In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to “Barnard Music Fund – in their memory”

Whitechapel handbells have been manufactured since the 1740’s. They continue to be made in south London, using original patterns and designs, by licence agreement from The Whitechapel Bellfoundry Ltd. Each bell is hand tuned to exacting standards and matched to make a fine musical instrument.

Carol was a life-long member of The First Congregational Church in downtown Columbus, Ohio, where she was a member of the choir for over 50 years. Her deep faith and love of music were the center of her life.
WhiteChapel Hand Bells