Written By David Gomez
GLENCOE — The sound of two historic pipe organs filled two Glencoe churches on July 15 as musicians, local history enthusiasts and church members gathered for a visit organized by the Glencoe & District Historical Society (GDHS).
The group began at St. John’s Anglican Church before crossing to Glencoe Presbyterian Church, where Ryan Baxter, a Doctor of Musical Arts candidate at Western University, played and examined the instruments. Organists and others connected with the Royal Canadian College of Organists also attended.
Baxter said the St. John’s organ stands out because it is a tracker instrument, meaning each key is physically connected to the mechanism that opens the pipes. He believes it may have been built by Edward Lye & Sons before 1930 and is likely more than a century old.
“The sound is quite soft and unintrusive, though does fill the sanctuary nicely,” Baxter said. “It is remarkable that this instrument continues to function well and is used for worship!”
The organ also carries a connection to Glencoe history. Anna Moss, née Simpson, helped raise funds for the instrument and served as an organist at St. John’s. She died suddenly in 1915 after participating in Sunday worship and choir activities. A stained-glass altar window at the church was later dedicated in her memory. Mary Simpson—GDHS Past President—shared Moss’s story with those attending the July visit.
Across the street, the Presbyterian organ offered a contrasting experience. Historical records show a Woodstock Karn organ was purchased in 1903 and rebuilt by David Legge in 1966, when additional pipes were installed and its action electrified. Baxter believes the present instrument is most likely a rebuilt Casavant incorporating some earlier components.
“It has a variety of colours that make it suitable for playing different types of repertoires,” he said, including works by J.S. Bach and Felix Mendelssohn.
Both instruments remain functional but require specialized maintenance, Baxter said.
“They also represent an important element of a community’s history,” he said, noting that organs can reveal how churches once invested in music, choirs and community life.
