Alumni Link
McKenna Chapel Organ Rededication
Published Date: April 30, 2025
On Sunday, April 27, the seminary community had the opportunity to sing hymns together with organ accompaniment from Dr. Albin C. Whitworth and direction by Dr. Bill Goold. They also honored Dr. Whitworth for his 40 years of ministry at Asbury Seminary and rededicated the McKenna Chapel organ after its recent refurbishment. (The McKenna Chapel organ is the second-largest in the state of Kentucky!)
For those who were unable to attend in-person, you can find the recording HERE.
We were not given the opportunity to visit McKenna Chapel at our 50th Anniversary tour in 2022. I am a member of the American Guild of Organists and play on Sunday mornings. I am curious; which builder was responsible for the instrument? Is there a stop list available?
The organ was built by the Schantz company of Orrville, Ohio. I visited Wilmore a few years after it was built and was able to try it out. It was a fine organ then, but it was not nearly as bright sounding as most Schantz organs were of that day. Listening to the parts of the recording I heard today was a revelation: the organ was bright as it should have been. Also, the acoustics of McKenna chapel made the congregational singing sound glorious! To my friend, Larry Smiley, I remember you well from Seminary. Terry C. Lowe, class of 1973, Amarillo, TX
I was a music minor in 1972-1973 and was privileged to take lessons on the chapel organ. What a blessing. Glad to learn of the updated organ. Ralph Ernst