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Rededication of recently renovated 1924 Estey pipe organ Sunday
Santa Paula News
Published: October 08, 2004
On Sunday, October 10 at 4 p.m. the Universalist
Unitarian Church of Santa Paula will hold a Ceremony of Rededication of
its recently renovated 1924 Estey pipe organ.
On
Sunday, October 10 at 4 p.m. the Universalist Unitarian Church of Santa
Paula will hold a Ceremony of Rededication of its recently renovated 1924
Estey pipe organ. The public is cordially invited to the event,
which will include a presentation of such great organ works as Massenet’s
“Meditation” from “Thaïs,” Franck’s “Pièce Héroïque,” Bach’s “Trio Sonata
in G” and Dupré’s “3 Variations on a Noel” among others.
The organ
had been silent for approximately 20 years due to the ravages of time, and
restoration would prove to be costly. In 1984 the church instituted
an Organ Fund designated for future restoration, and by 2000 had raised
half of the $32,000 necessary for the project. A member family donated the
balance needed and, thanks to their generosity, work began in the summer
of 2001.
The
restoration was completed in the spring of 2003, and the organ again
filled the church with music. Now, two days short of the 80th
anniversary of its first dedication, the organ will be rededicated and a
concert will performed by Debra Dyko, music director of Saint John’s
Seminary in Oxnard. Also performing will be Mariana Franco-Sommer,
director of music of the Universalist Unitarian Church of Santa Paula.
The
church building is a Ventura County Historical Landmark, and many of the
founding oil and ranching families of Santa Paula were members.
Church founder Wallace Hardison, along with Lyman Stewart, founded the
Union Oil Company, and Hardison also founded Limoneira.
The
church is located at 740 East Main St. near the corner of 8th Street. All
are welcome to attend the rededication and enjoy the concert.
Admission is free. | 
