Shakespeare Presbyterian Church dedicates new pipe organ

Longtime church member and pianist Shirley Kraus filled the air with song and played a melodious duet with organist Paul Hyatt on the pipe organ recently during a dedication ceremony for the new organ last week. Gary West photo

By Gary West

It was a night of celebration for members and friends at Shakespeare Presbyterian Church. For a church that was established in the 1800s, an updated pipe organ was a welcome addition to enhance the beauty of this well-preserved house of worship. The pipe organ was originally purchased by Emmanuel United Church in Sebringville. Once that church closed, it was donated and moved to Parkview United Church in Stratford and, just recently, after the sale of Parkview Church to the Anchor of Hope Anabaptist fellowship, organist Paul Hyatt was asked if he knew anyone who would be interested in the pipe organ. He said he immediately knew of a good home for the organ where he would be able to play it during weekly services. That home was Shakespeare Presbyterian Church.It took three days to disassemble the organ at Parkview and have it ready to move. A group of volunteers was ready to assist on moving day and they had the entire organ moved to Shakespeare in about three hours. Reassembling and installing it at the church took approximately five weeks to complete. The first service for the new musical instrument was on June 30.The church’s minister, Rev. Rob Congram, said during the recent night of dedication and prayer, “Be with your servants, who will use this beautiful instrument to make music for your people, as you prepare us on earth to sing your praises of heaven through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and Forever.”