By Brian O’Shea, Plateau Daily News
The organ at First Presbyterian Church in Highlands recently received a tune up keeping its pipes in tip-top shape. Having a true pipe organ is somewhat of a rarity nowadays as many churches have gone digital.
There are few who know the beauty of a true pipe organ like seventh generation Highlander Angie Jenkins, who began serving as assistant organist at 14 and became the “official” organist in 1976.
Angie Jenkins sitting at the true pipe organ at First Presbyterian Church in Highlands.
She is also the longest tenured organist in Highlands history and said having a pipe organ is something special.
“The sound from a pipe organ is a true sound from a pipe, much like a whistle,” said Jenkins. while the digital and electronic organs try to duplicate that sound, but they never quite make it,” said Jenkins.
Sound is created by feeding wind into pipes causing the air to oscillate, which produces the tones people hear.
The pipes all stand in a line above the “wind-chest,” with wind fed from down below into the pipes that Jenkins chooses to use to produce the sounds she wants.
First Presbyterian’s sanctuary was built in 1885. Jenkins said they wanted to have an organ that would historically reflect the way organs of that vintage sounded and looked.
She said with the help of some very talented people, they were able to have an organ built that suited the sanctuary aesthetically and musically.
“It was the church’s desire that the organ have painted pipes; these were popular in the past but have not been used for many years,” said Jenkins. “The stenciled designs on the organ pipes were inspired by symbolism found throughout the Christian faith. Combined, these symbols reflect and celebrate the glory of God.”
The organ receives a tune up twice a year. It was built by the Wicks Organ Company of Highland, ILL in 2004.
Jenkins said she was able to go to the Wicks Organ Factory twice while the organ was being built. Next year the congregation will celebrate the organ’s 20th birthday.