BANGOR, Maine — Hammond Street Congregational Church is pulling out nearly all the stops Sunday on its refurbished pipe organ with a dedication service and an afternoon recital.
“It’s like having a baby being born after four years of labor,” the Rev. Mark Doty, senior pastor at the United Church of Christ congregation, said Monday.
The organ, which had not been played for 60 years but was in good shape, was purchased from New Hope Baptist Church in Boston in November 2012 and sent to the studio of A. David Moore Pipe Organs in North Pomfret, Vermont, for restoration at a cost of $193,000. It was built by E. & G. G. Hook Bros. of Boston in 1861. The long process was completed when the last pipe was set in place about a month ago, the pastor said.
Moore and an assistant began installing the pipes and refurbished console at Hammond Street early this year. The organ was first played on Easter Sunday, with about 10 percent of the pipes installed.
The organ has been played regularly since March 27, Easter, and its sound has changed the worship experience for the congregation, according to Doty.
“I really feel that it does add a layer of awe and reverence to the service and connects us to ages past,” he said. “There’s just that strong feeling of history before us. People are so moved by it.”
That, apparently, is how Waldo McClure “Mac” Libbey, who for years sang in and directed the church choir, felt about music during worship. He so vehemently disagreed with the church’s decision to replace its pipe organ with an electronic one in the mid-1960s that he left the church.
Libbey, who taught electrical engineering and acoustics at the University of Maine for 47 years, died Jan. 10, 2009, at 86. In his will, Libbey left the church $183,000 for the sole purpose of installing a new pipe organ. If one could not be found within 10 years, the money would go to other charities.
“We think Waldo is smiling from wherever he is,” Doty said. “Honoring his last wish, it’s just so great to be able to do that.”
On Sunday, the organ will be dedicated to the glory of God, the pastor said. The opening hymn will be “Bangor,” as a tribute to the city, and the closing one will be “Stand up for Jesus.” The letters S-U-F-J are scratched onto several of the pipes, perhaps as a testament of faith on behalf of the people who made them, Doty said.
The hourlong recital to be performed by Kevin Birch, music director at St. John Catholic Church on York Street in Bangor, will feature the works of Johann Sebastian Bach, Dudley Buck, Horatio Parker, Johann Rinck and Eugene Thayer.
An expert on Hook organs connected Doty and his congregation with the Boston church that was selling its Hook and closing the church.
“The program is designed to reflect the concert practice of mid-19th century New England, a time when many fortunate musicians were returning from musical training in Europe and many more were studying in the newly formed American conservatories, will demonstrate the beauty and versatility of the instrument,” Birch said.
A conversation with organ builder A. David Moore will be held at 7 p.m. Friday. The formal organ dedication will be at the 10 a.m. service Sunday. The dedication recital, performed by Kevin Birch, will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday. Hammond Street Congregational Church is located at Hammond and High streets in Bangor. For information, call 942-4381.