In June of 2021 St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Columbus, Mississippi experienced a lightning strike to one of the pilasters on its roof. The resulting surge damaged the telephone, lighting, and internet systems throughout the buildings. The most serious damage, however, was to the organ.

The organ at St. Paul’s had seen better days even before the strike, but that storm proved to be the death blow. The circuitry was fried. Even after attempts were made to repair it, it was never reliable.
“Glitches continued to crop up over the next several months,” says Organist Ellen Hawkins. “In fact, there was no way to know how the organ would behave on any given day!“

Rather than despair, the parish decided to face the music (or lack thereof).

The Music Committee worked with the R. A. Colby Organ Company over the next year, and two options were presented for consideration: restoration of the organ with existing pipes, or conversion to an all-digital organ. Brad Colby invited the music committee to two churches in Georgia to listen to installations of a system by the Walker Technical Company, considered the gold standard of the organ-building world for quality digital sound.

While the committee went into the process certain that pipes would be the overwhelming preference, to their surprise, they found the digital instruments quite impressive. After careful consideration the decision was made to proceed with an all-digital organ.

“I never thought that a lightning strike, seemingly a disaster, could become an impetus to great change,” says Marian Hazard, a former Senior Warden. “Realizing that restoration was possible but with many unexpected improvements, our church rallied in support. Insurance money and a Capital Campaign combined to transform this vital part of our service into a gift for St. Paul’s today, and legacy for the future.”
In addition to the new digital system, the console and pedal board were beautifully refinished. The pipes were left in place for aesthetic purposes and in case the church should desire to transition back to pipes in the future.

After a long journey, the work was completed on November 20, and the new instrument made its debut on November 26.

“After playing piano for several months during the restoration, it is a joyful and fulfilling experience to hear the full sound of the organ filling the space,” says Hawkins.

“Mozart said, ‘To my eyes and ears the organ will ever be the King of Instruments,’” says The Reverend Andrew McLarty, St. Paul’s recently-arrived rector. “We are blessed by this organ and its ability to richly imbue our liturgy with its kingly peals and harmonies. I am so happy for the choir and congregation of St. Paul’s. It has been a long process; but the dedication and generosity of many have made this possible.”