The year 2021 marks the 30th year that Westminster Presbyterian Church has worshiped to the glorious sound of the large Austin pipe organ in the sanctuary. It is a time to rejoice and give thanks for the strong and distinctive musical leadership that our pipe organ offers. At 10:00 a.m. on October 6, 1991, the Austin organ was “dedicated to spiritual growth through music for years to come.” The service of dedication began with Louise Vierne’s “Carillon de Westminster” played by organist William Evans. With the processional hymn, “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee,” the congregation joined with the organ to give praise and adoration to the “God of glory, Lord of love.” It must have been thrilling for the congregation to be carried along with such power and beauty coming from the pipe organ. Imagine the excitement of hearing the opening chords of this beloved hymn after over 30 years of hearing and singing to the limited sounds of an electronic organ.

The excitement surrounding the new organ was so great that the inaugural recital was performed twice, on the two evenings before the dedication. The sanctuary was filled with church members and people from the wider community. For the Pittsburgh area and especially for the South Hills, a fine new pipe organ was something to celebrate. Today, the Austin organ continues its tradition of excellence in worship services and public concerts.

We might wonder, what makes the pipe organ so special? In a word, variety. The 4,772 pipes of Westminster’s organ allow for endless combinations of musical sounds, from as quiet and gentle as a whisper to as loud and majestic as an orchestra. From flutes and strings to woodwinds and brass, all grounded by the unmistakable “organ sound” known as a principal chorus. The impressive variety ensures that well-chosen organ music never gets boring. But perhaps most important, the versatility of the organ and its music guides and inspires the congregation in worship throughout the year. From the waiting and expectation of Advent to the joy of Christmas, from the introspection of Lent to the jubilation of Easter, the organ supports the themes of worship week after week. Beyond Sunday mornings, the organ provides music of celebration for weddings and music of comfort for funerals and memorial services. In all these ways, the organ serves as an instrument of God and God’s grace to us.

As we celebrate the Austin at 30 this month, we remember David Hilty, who chaired the Organ Committee and oversaw the installation of the organ during the summer of 1991. Dave spent the next 30 years making sure that the organ was well cared for and meaningful for the church and community. He also contributed to our celebration by providing documents from 1991, including the bulletin for the service of dedication, the inaugural recital program, and the organ brochure. Dave passed away this past June, yet his legacy through this beautiful instrument will enrich Westminster congregations for many years to come.

– Sara Kyle

Perspective from Westminster Organist Jim Burns

For the past 17 years I’ve had the privilege of playing the Austin Opus 2743 at Westminster. There is so much to like about this instrument that it’s hard to know where to begin. With its powerful reeds and broad 8-foot tone this organ is especially suited to the romantic French repertoire. At the same time, it can provide excellent transparency and clarity for the contrapuntal music of J.S. Bach and his contemporaries. The big solo nave trumpet is thrilling for wedding processionals and other festive occasions. But for all its power, my favorite sounds are the gentle solo stops of the choir division. The clarinet, flûte traversière, and especially the English horn can create moments of quiet beauty.

In recent years the organ has seen much use as a concert instrument. Since the beginning of the Organ Summer concerts in 2011, approximately 30 organists from Pittsburgh and New York City have performed on the Austin. Thanks to livestreaming during COVID, the last two seasons can be seen on YouTube. Paul Jacobs has been a frequent recitalist, from his 18-hour Bach marathon in 2000 to his recent performance this past August, one of several concerts by renowned organists presented at Westminster by the Organ Artists Series of Pittsburgh.

Of course, the most important function of a church organ is to enhance the worship service by supporting hymn singing, accompanying choirs and soloists, and providing appropriate incidental music. This organ does all that and more. Thanks to the efforts of Bill Evans, Dave Hilty, and the organ committee, Westminster has an instrument that not only enhances the worship experience, but is an asset to the musical community of Pittsburgh.

Excerpts from the pastor’s message in the brochure introducing Austin Organ, Inc., Opus 2734, October 1991

This weekend all of us at Westminster will be celebrating with praise and gratitude a major step into our vision for an expanded and enhanced witness for Christ. We will be sharing this celebration with many of our friends and neighbors. This is fitting because our witness if not simply for ourselves, it is also for our friends and neighbors.

– Laird J. Stuart