GOBIN MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
OPEN HEARTS, OPEN MINDS, OPEN DOORS
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Church Photo Gallery
Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church PO Box 66 307 Simpson St. Greencastle, IN 46135
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Historical Background of the Gobin Organ Gobin’s organ has historical significance. The 64-rank organ, the largest church organ in Indiana at the time of its dedication in 1929, was a gift of Josiah K. Lilly as a memorial to his parents, Eli and Emily Logan Lilly. The Kimball Company of Chicago, one of the leading organ builders, constructed the organ at a time when they were doing some of their best work. For over thirty years, this was known as the Van Denman Thompson organ. Dr. Thompson was Professor of Music, Dean of the DePauw School of Music, and Gobin Minister of Music until his retirement in 1956. He was a nationally renowned composer of church music, organist, and teacher of church organists across the country. As an historic instrument designed by Dr. Thompson, many of the leading church organists received their training at DePauw and served churches across the country. Some of the leading organists of the twentieth century performed on this instrument. Dr. Thompson used this organ for “Sunday morning hymn improvisations and extended organ benedictories, which remain legendary to this day.” Despite its present mechanical disrepair, “the sound of the instrument is rich, steady, and noble.” “Organs of this period and of this stature are rare today, and should be prized by the congregations that are lucky enough to have them,” Reynolds Associates concludes. The Rev. Robert A. Schilling (’53) has chronicled the history of the organ; its significance as a teaching and concert instrument; its importance to the congregation; community, and professional organists; and the value of restoring the organ to its original magnificence |
