Oldest operating pipe organ in Beaver County featured in May concert of beloved hymns

NEW SEWICKLEY TWP. ― St. John's (Burry's) United Evangelical Protestant Church will hold a May 19 concert with well-known local organist Michael Kearney.

Kearney will play both the 1838 Joseph Harvey and 1928 Eskey organs of the church. During the 90-minute concert, he will play familiar hymns that date back 100 years.

The concert precedes the unveiling of a new Beaver County historic marker at the church located at 1835 Route 68 in New Sewickley Township, near Zelienople.

A free will offering will be taken at the concert to benefit ongoing Ukraine relief efforts by Samaritans Purse.

The audience will be encouraged to sing along with some of the hymns played by Kearney, whose affiliation with Geneva College and the Genevans put him on stages worldwide.

Cookies and punch will be served after the historic marker dedication.

The concert begins at 2 p.m. in the church sanctuary and should conclude by 3:30 p.m.

The historic marker, to be located at the right front of the church, will be dedicated with brief remarks ending by 4 p.m.

Burry's Church, founded in 1835 by German and Swiss farm families using logs from their own properties, is well known by Beaver Countians.

In 1838, the congregation bought a Joseph Harvey organ for $572. The organ has been played in all three churches on the original Burry's property, including the 1859 structure and its current 1928 replacement. It was updated in 1971 with two Eskey organs added. Kearney's performance will showcase the capabilities of both styles of organ.

A video of his performance will be shown live on the front screen in the sanctuary as he plays in the balcony.

Kearney played a similar, well-attended concert last year at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Beaver.

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Scott Tady, entertainment editor at The Times, is at stady@timesonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Oldest operating pipe organ in Beaver County featured in May concert of beloved hymns