An organ that played for 40 years in the “church of the
presidents” has found a new home in a suburban Virginia
church.
Installed in St. John’s Church in Lafayette Square Park in
Washington in 1969, the Gress-Miles organ was a gift from
Claire Gardner to honor her husband, Arthur. In 2008, it was
removed and stored in Leesburg awaiting restoration.
Father Richard Guest, pastor of St. Theresa Church in
Ashburn, said he heard about the availability of the organ
from a friend who knew they were replacing the organ at St.
John’s.
“I really wanted to bring a great instrument into the space,
to be able to enhance the liturgy in the parish,” he said.
“The idea of refurbishing a previously used organ seemed to
be a way to do so in a more cost effective manner.
The diocesan Office of Planning, Construction and Facilities
provided guidance and assistance with the purchase as well as
the oversight of the refurbishment, according to Father
Guest.
“It took a long time to accomplish, but it has certainly been
worth the wait,” he said. “I was blown away by the difference
in sound quality.
“I don’t think there’s anything that compares to a pipe organ
in Catholic worship. The organ provides a real sense of
profound dignity to the liturgy.”
Father Guest blessed the organ Oct. 4 by sprinkling holy
water and reciting a prayer specific to organs.
For the parish organist, Matthew Ho, “tickling” the ivory
keys on the new organ doesn’t compare to today’s organ keys
made from bone or plastic.
All of the 3,530 speaking pipes are original, as well as the
wind chest shells and tremulants. Some other parts have been
replaced or reconstructed, coming from as far away as Norway.
The organ’s new home is a larger space than its former one,
so new additions and adjustments were made. The installation
team worked to redefine the overall sound from a more
dominant, shriller tone to a softer, more romantic one, said
Ho.
With a historic past in a church that dates back to 1815 and
is registered as a national historic landmark, the organ
debuts just in time for the Ashburn parish to mark its 25th
jubilee.
Gilbert is a freelance writer from Ashburn.
