Church Organ
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 The Gospel of the Organs of Westminster Presbyterian ChurchOn or about March 13, 1892, Westminster Presbyterian Church sang its praises to God accompanied by their new Estey tubular-pneumatic organ. A grand instrument for its time, ornate, full throated and sounding its praises to the Lord in time and on key without fail. But time and use and moving it to three different buildings have a way of taking their toll. This organ had served us well for over 90 years, but even with bailing wire, chewing gum, and prayer it was not going to hold out. It began to tell us that it was nearing the end of its life. Psssssst, psssssssst - air escaping from an unknown source. The trumpet stop seemed to be inhabited by gremlins, sounding cow-like in a cold rain storm, and at least three other stops had not worked within living memory. Yes, we could have used more duct tape and replaced more pieces to repair the old dear, but when we received the estimates for psychiatric treatments for our organist Kathy, and our Choir Director Danny, we opted to do something other than repairs. In finest Presbyterian tradition, and with absolute decorum, our Session decided it was time to form an Organ Committee to "do something about the organ". More accurately described, an assemblage of 3 members-at-large, 3 members of the choir, and the pastor, none of whom had the foggiest idea how to "do something about the organ". During the first few meetings the committee discovered just how deeply mired in all the details necessary to even begin this awesome undertaking. We also agreed that we were in dire need of help. That help came in the form of our well qualified consultant, Professor of Harpsichord and Organ, Director of Graduate Studies in Music at the Meadows School of the Arts, Southern Methodist University, Dr. Larry Palmer. The committee became eager students tapping the veritable well-spring of knowledge of our new found expert. We visited several churches in the metroplex to become more informed about acoustics, organ placements, choir placements, types of organs (tracker vs. electro-mechanical), manufacturers, builders, and that never to be forgotten element... cost! Armed with our newly acquired wisdom, and with our consultant in the lead, we set out to find someone to build an organ for us. We invited five builders to submit bids from which we received 3 replies. We narrowed the 3 down to 2, and following separate interviews with each, visited some churches in which they had made installations. Our final selection and a contract was made with Robert L. Sipe, Inc. in April of 1985. Mr. Sipe had to complete another organ build and installation that was already under way, but following completion of that project could devote his full attention to the design of our new instrument. More often than not, it takes from 3 to 5 years to plan, design and install an organ the size and complexity of Westminster's. Fortunately, Mr. Sipe was able to use some of our better, older pipes, reworked and re-voiced, in our new organ. The new parts for our instrument were ordered in February of 1986. Each person on the committee was frequently bombarded with questions regarding date of completion. We were in dire need of forgiveness for the many evasive answers we were forced to give. In all honesty, neither the consultant nor the builder could commit to a definite date of completion for the project. Finally we had to resort to a simple, but effective reply, "It's coming along." There were too many delays to document, but the most outstanding (quoting from a telegram) was, "The [company] will take an entire month of our usual vacation before we will commence the assembly of your organ." Frustrated, YES, but the piano filled in quite nicely for our worship services. Following all the delays and accompanying frustrations, an article appeared in the November, 1986 Westminster Newsletter stating, "...there were seven persons awaiting the arrival of the trailer truck delivering our organ...standing on one foot then the other much like expectant fathers." Thos "expectant fathers" who helped unload the organ were; Sandy Sanderson, Norman Ross, Charles Taylor, Bob Sipe, T.G. Gholston, Joseph, and Bob King. We are most grateful for these heavy lifters, luggers and stackers. We wish to recognize and remember those dedicated and tenacious individuals who were appointed to, "do something about the organ." The Organ Committee:
Without the help of the next important person, the congregation could be listening to a player piano or something you turn with a crank for worship accompaniment. Our consultant, Professor of Harpsichord and Organ, Director of Graduate Studies in Music at the Meadows School of the Arts, Southern Methodist University, Dr. Larry Palmer. We were extremely fortunate to obtain the services of this talented musician as our consultant. We selected a highly skilled person, second to none in the meticulous process of voicing, truly an artist and architect of our beautiful organ, the builder, Mr. Robert L. Sipe. Mr. Sipe's wife Susan assisted him in the completion of our organ. Bob and Susan, please accept our sincere gratitude for this wonderful instrument. We requested and received the advice and legal counsel from our very own Mr. Edward V. Smith, III, Attorney at Law, for which we are very thankful. Now, just one more person... not a committee member, nor an official in any way, but one of our own Westminster family who contributed many hours to this project, Norman Ross. Norman spent many days and late hours helping Mr. Sipe assemble the organ. He also removed, redesigned, rebuilt, and reinstalled the choir loft pews to accommodate the new organ console. He designed and constructed the front entries to the choir loft. In appreciation, we say, "Merci!, Danke schön!, Grazie!, Much Obliged!, and Thank You! to the finest craftsman we know. Thank you so much, Norman Ross. A day of jubilation and thanksgiving arrived following almost 3 years of praying, planning, and building. This organ is built for the glory of God to assist the people of God in worship. We are grateful to God for the generosity of Mrs. Iris Rickard, Mrs. Bernice Brown, Mrs. Ada Irene McCroy, and the members of Westminster Presbyterian Church who participated in the Frontiers of Faith Campaign. In addition, many members gave memorials to the Glory of God in the name of Westminster Presbyterian Church.
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