information from Admiral Congregational United Church of Christ
Admiral Congregational United Church of Christ, founded in 1899, is West Seattle’s oldest church. On Sunday, November 19 at 3:00 pm its newly-renovated pipe organ will be dedicated during a concert featuring a guest performance by Dan Miller, an internationally-renowned organist, composer, conductor and recording artist. Mr. Miller will perfom works of Bach, Widor, Copland and Rowley.
The audience will also have the pleasure of hearing a selection of Miller’s own compositions. Admiral UCC’s organist Sam Peters, and choir director Pam Gerke will also be part of the program with Sam performing an original composition and Pam directing several choral pieces. The audience will be invited to participate in singing selected hymns, the finale being the “Hallelujah Chorus”. This concert, a major West Seattle musical event, is being offered free of charge and should be a beautiful beginning for the holiday season.
The pipe organ was installed at Admiral Church in 1963, sum of $12,000, an impressive amount in today’s dollars and was indeed a “stretch” for a small church. Following nearly fifty years of continuous use, the church recognized that significant renovation was necessary. The birthday celebration commenced and was spear-headed by then music director and organist Keith Terhune. Members of the congregation eager to see their beloved pipe organ made “young” again organized a grassroots fundraising campaign and within three years were successful in raising $92,000. Following a much research, the decision was made to purchase a new Rodgers electronic organ console, carefully restore the original Balcom and Vaughan pipes and combine (“hybridize”) them. The result is a stunning musical instrument, one of the finest examples of its kind in the Greater Seattle area.
The soaring sanctuary designed by an associate of Frank Lloyd Wright provides a thrilling space to both see and hear the spectacular culmination of many years of the loving work of the congregation. Admiral Church is located at 4320 SW Hill Street.
