For the Glory of our Lord

In 1956, a new electric organ was purchased with the aid of an interim loan by a member, which was paid off by members. This was the  organ used at Hope when the congregation met at the church at Princess and Chambers Streets. In 1962, the organ would be relocated at the new church on Carrick Street. Bert Bruce was the organist and choir master, for many years.

This organ was used for many years and was later played by one of our organists, Kris Beatty. The organ was dedicated, “In memory of the members of the Armed Forces from Victoria who gave their lives in service of our country.”

In the mid-seventies, the beginnings of a pipe organ was bought from a Vancouver church. Richard Uhl and Grant Smalley, a trained pipe organ builder and who worked for Hugo Spilker in Victoria, whose business included dismantling church organs that were being replaced with newer ones. The opportunity came about to purchase two organ chests from an organ in Marpol United Church, Vancouver. Then, the console was bought from Stan…, in Vancouver, who owned several organ components. He referred to his home as the “House of Organs”.

The original parts of the organ were paid for by four young members of Hope. Richard took a year out of his work at Hugo’s and together with Grant, constructed the pipe organ, starting in 1976. Pipes were purchased from several sources, including from Grant’s stock. Richard built the wooden housing worked under Grant’s tutelage, who was in charge of the location and electrical building of the organ, including “gang switches”, which Grant supplied, to… Unfortunately, these parts are no longer replaceable with similar equipment, rather require a newer, solid electrical component. When Hugo retired, Grant purchased Hugo’s business and for many years, tuned our pipe organ, as part of the ongoing maintenance of the organ.

Hope has been blessed with many fine organists! They include: Janice Buchenaur, who was also a choir director for various choir including the Knot a Hope Men’s Choir’ Florence Carver; Mike (also for the Beacon’s as was Kevin) and Susan Eisner; Kevin Dill; Mary Rogers, Richard Uhl (who has played organs at church since he was 12 when he first played for the Sunday School, the teacher being (Marie) Turner; George Brandstetter; Julie Nord; Kris Beatty; Laura Gibson (who has also been our organist for several years); and Barbara Guidetti (our present music director).

God has blessed with musicians and musical instruments throughout the years, a rich history of music, to use in our worship, for the glory and praise of our Lord! Thanks be to God!