Diocesan News06 Dec 11

St Mary’s Church, Macosquin completes Organ Restoration

 

Rev Adrian McLaughlin, Irish Pipe Organ Preservation Trust, Rector Mike Roemmele, Dean William Morton, Bishop Ken Good and Mr Philip Prosser, (organ builder) with his wife Valerie who were at the service to rededicate the 100 year old restored Macosquin organ.

On Sunday 4th December the Parish Church in Macosquin celebrated the completion of a three–year project to restore its 100–year–old pipe organ at an Advent Carol Service. At the beginning of the service Bishop Ken Good dedicated the organ to the glory of God and for its future role of glorifying him through music.

The Organist and Choir from St Columb’s Cathedral in Londonderry led the worship and in the congregation were more than 30 guests, among them Mr Dennis Desmond, Lord Lieutenant of County Londonderry, and The Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Coleraine.

The total cost of the restoration was £22,000 and many of the other guests had been involved in helping to raise the money. The Irish Historic Pipe Organ Preservation Trust contributed £12,000 and a recent Showstoppers concert raised £4,500. Other concerts by Erin Teacy, the Church Organist and choir along with donations from parishioners and friends of the parish helped to fund the balance. In welcoming the guests Revd Mike Roemmele expressed the thanks of the Select Vestry to all who had helped and particularly to Philip Prosser, whose craftsmanship as an organ builder was outstanding.

After the service Ian Mills, the Cathedral Organist, demonstrated the restored organ’s versatility in a short recital, and members of the choir served refreshments to the congregation while other organists played a selection of music. These included Very Revd William Morton, Dean of Derry, Rev Adrian McLaughlin of the Pipe Organ Preservation Trust and Mrs Margaret McCarter, Organist of Christchurch in Limavady.