Organ master W. Robert Morrison donates instrument to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

MASSILLON − A living legend in local church music circles is making his mark once again with a generous donation to a local church.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 4275 Lincoln Way Wm is the latest beneficiary of W. Robert Morrison's generosity, in the form of an organ.

Morrison, who is giving the instrument to the church in memory of his late wife, S. Kathleen Morrison, will headline a dedication concert for the Allen Organ at 3 p.m. Sept. 24.

"Allen was a pioneer in digital organ technology," he said, adding that the fully electric instrument, an Allen Master Design Series 51-S, is a 25th anniversary special edition.

Allen organs don't rely on pipes for their sound. The recorded sound is downloaded into its system, which comes with 11 speakers that have been installed in the church's sanctuary.

Morrison said he bought the organ in 1999 for $50,000 at his wife's urging. While it was in his home, it was played by international organ star Hector Olivera, and local organ masters Mark Thewes and Chad Pittman, who will perform Sept. 24.

Jared Goldinger, Holy Trinity's current organist, also will perform. Goldinger, 24, also plays for Faith Lutheran Church and is one of the house organists at the Palace Theatre in Canton. He has composed music for Kent State University, and performed in venues around the country, including in Cleveland, Atlanta, Detroit and New York City.

Morrison said he made the donation at the suggestion of Jean Pritchard, a longtime friend and former substitute organist at Holy Trinity, after attempts to sell it fell through.

"I talked to Jean and she said, 'It needs a new home,'" Morrison recalled. "The Holy Trinity folks have been so gracious."

Pritchard said she has known Morrison for more than 60 years.

'Make me a blessing'

"I think it's wonderful," she said. "He tried so hard and so long to sell it, and nothing came through."

Pritchard said her role was an answer to her daily prayer: "Make me a blessing to someone today."

She said the idea for the donation arose from a conversation with church members who were despairing about their original organ, which was too old to repair. She connected Morrison with members Joyce Egan and Cindy Gardner.

"(Egan) was awed at the response she got from him," Pritchard said. "She told me 'He wants to donate it to the church.' I told Bob he saved the best for last."

Longtime parishioners Jack and Nancy Gardner call it call it a godsend. They helped to raise the $6,000 needed for the organ's installation, which was completed two weeks ago by Robert DeMass, senior Allen Organ consultant at Pellegrino's Music Center in Jackson Townwship.

"Lutherans use a lot of music," Nancy Gardner said. "We needed an organ. That's the only way we got it. We're thrilled to death. The old one had parts so old, they're no longer manufactured, and we couldn't get it repaired."

Pritchard said she is certain it was all was God's doing. The organ is now in a new home that's close to Morrison's home. He stops in to play.

"It was the Holy Spirit, working the whole thing out," Pritchard said. "At his age, I understand how he feels. I'm retired now, and I had to give up my organ at home. The church has been a wonderful church to me. They've been a wonderful congregation."

Ninety years of music

A native of Baltimore, Morrison, 97, began playing the piano at 7 before switching to the organ. He earned a scholarship from the prestigious Peabody Conservatory − the nation's oldest − and holds degrees from Johns Hopkins University, Reformed Episcopal Seminary, Westminster Choir College and is an American Guild of Organists Fellow.

He moved to Canton in 1951 at the invitation of the Rev. Roland Hohn, pastor of First Methodist Church. He married his wife in 1956, after she became his first pupil.

Morrison served as the organist for 45 years at Church of the Savior United Methodist, the historic church that counted President William McKinley among its members when it was First Methodist Church. In 2014, Church of the Savior merged with Saint Paul's United Methodist Church and became Crossroads United Methodist.

"Their pastor, a nice young man, was one of my organ pupils until COVID," Morrison said of the Rev. Don Ackerman.

Today, Morrison, who practices the organ every day, is the parish musician at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, also in Canton.

With his near-endless repertoire, Morrison has shared his talents, dedicating organs and carillon bells at numerous local churches including St. Paul's Lutheran, First Methodist, First Baptist, Epworth United Methodist, Central Presbyterian and St. John's United Church of Christ, and as accompanist at Washington High School's performance of "Messiah."

His favorite hymn to play?

"Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," he said.

Reach Charita at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @cgoshayREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Music maestro W. Robert Morrison donates organ to Massillon church