JAMESTOWN -- "It really kind of brings back the birth of the Oregon recital, it was a community event," organist Brock E. Smith said. "And today we not only were together as a community full of people that knew one another and (full) of complete strangers, but we also helped glorify and magnify the Lord in this wonderful, wonderful church."
Grace United Methodist Church hosted a two-part ceremony celebrating American history, patriotism and worship on Sunday. The church hosted "A celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 125th anniversary of the Hinners and Albertsen pipe organ, opus 454, built in 1901."
Community members gathered at 143 E. Row St. in Jamestown for Grace United Methodist Church's event. As attendees entered the church they were greeted by organizers dressed in historically accurate clothing.
History was on the forefront of everyone's mind. It isn't often two big anniversaries -- one national and one local -- fall within the same year. However, Grace United Methodist Church wanted to highlight not only America's history but the history of its organ. An organ installed in 1901 and used for worship services, weddings and other milestones within the Moniteau County community.
Organizer Dave Shaul spoke on "moments in American history," detailing the history of the American Revolution; and church-member and former Jamestown school teacher Sam Lucas gave a presentation on the "history of Hinners and Albertsen organ."
However, between the presentations was a performance by organist Brock E. Smith.
Smith told the Democrat Lucas approached him for a performance at the church. He said he was acquainted with Lucas through one of his former business partners, Michael Quimby of Quimby Pipe Organs.
"I spent almost three years at that company, and it just so happened that Sam needed somebody for this recital. The church had been toying with the idea about it, and I just so happened to have a mustache that very similarly resembles Mr. John Hinners, (the man who manufactured and installed the organ). So it was kind of a, 'Hey, would you do it,' and I said, 'Well, yeah, sure, I would,' and then I was told, 'Well, good, because I already said you would,'" Smith said. "But it has been such a pleasure to be here, and to perform for such wonderful people."
Smith studied at Drury University in Springfield, Missouri, and got a bachelor's degree of arts in organ performance.
His resemblance to Hinners was the inspiration behind the ceremony's historical attire. After organizers asked him if he could dress for the part, many of them followed suit.
Smith even had special attire made by Michael's Fine Clothing in Kansas City -- one that used an original patent from Michael's grandfather from 1898.
The church received the organ in 1901 as the German Methodist Church. During Lucas's presentation, he read an excerpt from the Moniteau County Herald, an area newspaper that would later become the California Democrat.
"At each of the services, Sunday morning, afternoon and night, a large and attentive audience crowded the German Methodist Church ... overflowing. The occasion being the dedication of pipe organ," Lucas read. "(Reverend G.B. Addicks) of St. Louis performed the ceremony of dedication, which was attended with marked interest. Professor J.L. Hinners, of Pekin, Illinois, manipulated the organ, filling the room with its delightful music while the choir rendered some very pleasing and beautiful selections."
Organizer Dave Shaul, a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, said one of the things his organization tries to do is honor the nation's patriots and educate others on its founding and the origins. According to Shaul, the most important thing people can do as Americans is "remember we came from and live accordingly."
A packed church stood up to sing church hymns dating all the way back to the 1830s. Smith played 13 songs on the organ for the ceremony -- inspiring attendees to fill up every corner of the building with their voices as they sang along.
"The hymn singing, that's always my favorite part of a recital I do. It's because my favorite organ recitals are when I'm involved, and it really kind of brings back the birth of the Oregon recital -- it was a community event. And today we not only were together as a community full of people that knew one another and (full) of complete strangers, but we also helped glorify and magnify the Lord in this wonderful, wonderful church," Smith said. "I would like to say to Moniteau County, one of the most gorgeous counties north of the Ozarks. I've been very thankful for all the hospitality here in Jamestown and in California, both, and it's just been wonderful to be over here."