Organ valued at $1 million still delighting church goers

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Gerald Stacey of the Weaver Organ Company was in town recently doing some repairs to an organ at the First United Methodist Church in Live Oak. The organ that was purchased for about $50,000 now values at nearly $1 million. - Photo: Bryant Thigpen

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November 6, 2012

Organ valued at $1 million still delighting church goers

And it is played each Sunday

Bryant Thigpen Suwannee Democrat The Suwannee Democrat Tue Nov 06, 2012, 09:43 AM EST

Live Oak — The First United Methodist Church of Live Oak plays music each Sunday on an organ that could value up to $1 million. Inside the sanctuary on South Ohio Avenue (US 129) that dates back to the mid 1900s is a Schantz organ that was custom built for the church. The organ is used every Sunday and it still grabs the heart of the listeners.

Back in 1979 when the contract was first signed, Music Director Warren Johnson believes that it was purchased for about $50,000. Gerald Stacey of the Weaver Organ Company has been at the church making needed repairs to the organ, and that’s when the music director found out the true value of what they have in their church. Along with repairs to the instrument, the church is currently doing some reconstruction of where the organ is currently located so that the uniqueness of the organ would be more visible to the people.

The Schantz Organ Company, founded in 1873, only produces custom designed organs. After the contract was signed in 1979, it took the company nearly two years to complete the project.

In 1981, the organ debuted in its first service. A gold plate was placed on the organ on April 14, 1979 that states it was given to the church by Porter Claude Crapps Jr., in honor of his loving wife, Virginia Birchfield Crapps. The plate also lists their children: Mary, Porter, David, Clark, Virginia, John, Dicy, James, Daniel and George.

Since it was first dedicated, many people have come along to serve as the church’s organist. For the past two years, Tim Redding has served as the organist. Beginning next Sunday, Susan Roush will take over duties for Redding who accepted a position at his home church.

Johnson has served as the church’s music director for approximately five years. He stays very busy holding weekly practices for the choir and men’s group. Every Sunday, the church holds a 9 a.m. service that features contemporary music, and one at 11 a.m. for people who love traditional church music.

“We’re very excited about our upcoming Christmas Cantata,” Johnson said. “The choir has been working on the music for about five months now, and we’re going to have a small ensemble with brass and woodwind instruments. It’s going to be great.”

The music program at the church is on the rise, and so is their new found respect for their million dollar instrument.

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