Fort Street Presbyterian Church, in Detroit, Michigan - 175 Years Old

1849 = 175 Years

Fort Street Presbyterian Church, in Detroit, Michigan, is an absolutely impressive church. In 2024 they are celebrating their 175^th anniversary.  My work with the church began with Pastor Garrett Longmann.  From the conversations we had together, emerged a new hymn for them. 

The anniversary hymn I created for them is called: “Christ, Who Once Beckoned”.  I sent it to them on November 15, 2023. 

Garrett got back to me on November 16^th. He told me that they have a new music director Patrick Kuhl, and that Patrick would respond directly regarding the new hymn.

  I had an email from Patrick on November 21, 2023, saying that he approves and plans to use the hymn to the familiar tune i suggested, JERUSALEM.

 

The gorgeous photos of this incredible church building were made by Helmut Ziewers for Historic Detroit. 

The Congregational Church of Westborough, Massachusetts - A New Hymn

The Congregational Church of Westborough, Massachusetts - A New Hymn

I am happy to share that recently I completed hymn for the 300th anniversary of the Congregational Church of Westborough, Massachusetts.  They will be having a big celebration on February 11, 2024, and this hymn will be part of it.

An interesting fact about this congregation is that for many years, the bell in their steeple was one that had been made by Paul Revere.  That same bell now resides in the belfry of old South Church in Boston.  The photograph you see is from the cover of a book that was written for the history of the church 25 years ago.  

The new hymn emerged as follows...

The planning began in conjunction with Catherine "Cathie" Achorn, who is the chairperson of their 300^th Anniversary Committee.  Thereafter, there were ongoing emails with Tom Morgan, their church historian, as well as with Cathie.  Cathie sent me the church's 275th anniversary history book, pictured.  Tom sent a link to the lecture he gave about the history of the houses of worship in Westborough.  From this great information, I wrote a hymn called “Three Hundred Years of Faith” for them.  I sent the hymn on November 26, 2023 which they thereafter approved the next day. 

Their motto for the anniversary is: "300 Years of Faith, Hope, and Service".  That served as the inspiration for my hymn, which is entitled: "300 Years of Faith!"

Is your church having an anniversary or special occasion?  I would love to write a new hymn for you.  

Lake Grove Presbyterian Church in Oswego, Oregon, will be celebrating it Centennial in 2024.

Lake Grove Presbyterian Church in Oswego, Oregon, will be celebrating it Centennial in 2024.  

I have written them a new hymn that the will sing to help mark the occasion.  This is the first of several new works that I have written for them. It is entitled: 

“We Join in Celebration…” to be sung to ANGELS STORY, to be sung as part of their anniversary celebrations on September 8, 2024. 

Soon I will be posting about the new lyrics I created for their Easter 2024 worship service.  Great to have this connection with a wonderful congregation!

Hymn for First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown, New York

Hymn for First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown, New York

I am delighted  to announce that I recently completed a hymn for the First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown New York.  The church is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. Here is how the writing of the hymn happened:

I first talked about it with the church's minister, the Rev Robert (Bob) Hagel. Thereafter, I worked in conjunction with Paige Hardison, who is the church's Director of Music, Chancel Choir, and Bells.  Paige consulted with their church organist and I began work on their hymn, set to a familiar tune. When it was ready, I sent it to Paige.  The hymn title being:  “We Know Some Names” which was approved in mid November 2023.