Windham Hill UCC to celebrate gift of new Allen organ with concert

By Ed Pierce

Having long been admired for its unique architecture, Windham Hill United Church of Christ is about to host a musical event that is sure to be remembered for years to come.

Windham Hill United Church of Christ's new Allen organ
was gifted to the church by the Prides Corner Congregation
in June when that church closed. A special concert to
dedicate the new organ will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday,
Sept. 11 and the public is invited to attend.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

Following a generous gift to the church of a new Allen organ, the community is invited to a dedication service for the organ at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11. The evening will feature a variety of music, including organ selections, piano and organ duets, percussion, hymns, and choral music.

Windham Hill UCC was Windham’s founding church and was built in 1835. Through the decades it has witnessed many firsts in the community. The church was prominently featured in a 1935 edition of National Geographic magazine and in 1964, a carillon was played from the organ with speakers installed in the church belfry.

“The service will be an opportunity for the congregation and community to celebrate the gift of music, and the important role music has played in the life and worship of Windham Hill UCC throughout its long history.,” said Rev. Sharon Rankin, Windham Hill UCC pastor.

She said that featured musicians for the organ dedication will be the Rev. Dr. Peter Stickney and Paul Stickney, along with the Windham Hill UCC Choir and guest singers.

Rev. Dr. Peter Stickney has served several churches in Maine as their organist and choir director including several UCC congregations. He is a minister in the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches (NACCC) and is pastor and musician at the Newfield Congregational Church in Newfield. He currently serves as the chaplain for the United Church of Christ Musicians Association and writes a monthly blog called Epiphanies from the Mill House on the United Church of Christ Musicians Association website. He also is a member of the planning committee for the United Church of Canada’s new hymnal “Then Let Us Sing!”

Paul Stickney is the Minister of Music for Windham Hill UCC.

New Allen organs produce a rich and lavish sound and are constructed with fine precision by the Allen Organ Company, founded in 1937 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The company is a leading builder of high-quality digital and classical church organs. It pioneered the use of digital technology in liturgical instruments, producing organs known for authentic pipe-organ sound, reliable solid-wood consoles, and advanced acoustic engineering.

These new church organs combine advanced tone generation technology, unique features, build quality, and product longevity.

Windham Hill UCC is at 140 Windham Center Road in Windham.

“We welcome everyone to this special evening of music, celebration, and community,” Rankin said. “All are warmly invited to attend.”

For more details about the organ dedication service at Windham Hill UCC in Windham, call the church office at 207-892-4217 or send an email to [email protected]. <