Thompson Congregational Church Organ

Music at Thompson Congregational Church is always changing. We have choir that always welcomes new members and we love to have instrumentalists and soloists contribute. One of the most integral parts of the music at Thompson is the historical organ. Located in the balcony in the rear of the sanctuary, it was built in 1873 by the William A. Johnson Organ Company in Westfield, MA. It was originally in the State Street (Wesley) Methodist Church in Springfield, MA. When State Street purchased a new organ, the Johnson Organ was moved to the Thompson Church in 1901. The "Opus 409" was restored in 1984, but has not been altered from its original stops and "tracker" mechanism. The organ was almost lost in 1987, when the Thompson Church had a fire in the steeple. Thousands of gallons of water were needed to extinguish the fire and much of it poured down into the organ chambe. The organ had to be removed to the repair shop of Andover Organ Co. where it was put into unheated storage to dry out very slowly. In 1988 the organ restoration was started again and it was completed in October of 1990. During this restoration, it was found that the woodwork, which had been painted white, was acutally cherry wood. It was returned to its natural state at that time. We invite you to come and experience the beautiful sound of "Opus 409". It truly fills the sanctuary with beautiful sound.

Susan Markham is the Minister of Music at Thompson Congregational Church. She began her career as a church musician in a Providence, R. I. church at the age of 11. At 16 she became the Organist/ Choir Director of an Episcopal Church in Pawtucket until leaving to go to college at The Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford. There she majored in Church Music while taking Piano and Voice as her minors. She continued her church vocation all throughout her adult life and has never tired of it. Now, after 52 years, she has found what she feels is the ideal church. The instrument at Thompson is such a wonderful piece of history and is in top condition. She hopes to remain there until she decides to retire.

We are also trying other types of music so that we can involve more people. On Thursday evenings during the summer months at 7:00 pm we are "Drumming on the Common" across the street from the church. Please feel free to join us! Look for the sign with event dates posted on Thompson Common.