A look back at our organists and choir directors

In January 2010 our organist and choir director, Adele DiBiagio will celebrate 30 years in her office here at First Baptist. I thought it might be fun to look back on our history with the organ and our organists today.

Our first known organ was installed in 1895. It was an inside swell box from Norwalk, CT. The organ had to be pumped and several boys were hired to do so. James L. Tourtellottee did it in 1898. Others who did it from 1913 on included Herbert Willey, Lloyd Rathbun and George H. Strouse Jr. The boys received as much as 25 cents each week to do the job. It was that important.

The records indicate that our first regular organist was Ernest P. Rose who served the church from 1907 - 1913.

William Douglas was the organist from 1917-1918 and Robert Otis is also listed as organist around that time. He may have filled in.
In 1920 Annie Cowen became the organist and choir director. She served in that position for 46 years and concluded her service on May 8, 1966.

In 1921 the pump organ was changed to an electric organ putting the boys out of work. After the fire of 1942, a new (for us) tracker organ was installed and dedicated in memory of Charles S. Stamm.

During Annie Cowen's tenure we had several substitute organists who helped out when Annie was away. They included Florence Holdridge, Mildred Cass, Elvira Pierce, David Harris and Nancy Diehl.

Annie Laycock assisted Annie with the choir over the years.

In 1950 Elvira Pierce filled in at the organ while the choir traveled to the 13th Annual Musical Festival in Boston at Trinity Church.

In October 1966 Mrs. Olive Roberts became our organist until October of 1970. Annie Cowen returned as our interim organist for the last quarter of the year until a new organist was found.

Mr. Harold G. Grist served as organist and choir director from January 1971 - December 1979.

Adele DiBiagio began as a substitute organist in January 1980 and was spelled by Cynthia Strouse and Rev. Douglas Howell. She became our permanent organist in July 1980 and that fall assumed the role of choir director.

Over the years Cynthia Strouse and Lori Lord have filled in as substitute organists.

In October of 1999, as part of our 200th anniversary celebration, the McNeeley Organ was installed in memory of Rev. George H. Strouse by the members of his family. It was built by Alan McNeeley of Waterford. A room was added and the choir loft refigured.

We close in on 115 years of organ music at First Baptist Church in the coming months and we give all the glory to God.