Friedens Church of Shartlesville will be hosting a benefit organ recital on Friday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. The church, which is joining in the celebration of Shartlesville’s 250th anniversary on Aug. 22nd, is home to one of six historic Dieffenbach organs that are located in Berks County. The fall benefit recital will continue the community efforts started last year to raise funds to repair and maintain Dieffenbach organs.
The historic organ, which continues to be part of the church services at Friedens Lutheran Church, was built in 1891 by Thomas Dieffenbach. There are three more Dieffenbach organs located in Berks County churches, and one is located at the Berks History Center in Reading. The sixth organ is owned by the family.
Adam Dieffenbach, a descendent of the original organ builders, will be the featured organist for the second time. Last year, he helped to launch the fundraising recital during the inaugural event in September at Altalaha Lutheran Church, Rehrersburg. A new twist to this year’s performance will be a special duet prelude to the recital that will partner Dieffenbach with Friedens’ Minister of Music Kevin Kline.
The recital will begin at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. A freewill offering will be taken during the recital. No admission will be charged. Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the recital.
The Dieffenbach organ, built for Friedens Church in Shartlesville, is one of the last organs to be built by Thomas Dieffenbach (1821-1900). It features a detached reversed console with a pedalboard. It has undergone multiple restorations over the years and is currently in excellent condition, thanks to the generosity and attention of the Friedens congregation.
“I am so looking forward to this,” said Friedens Pastor Inge Williams. She is helping to organize the event, along with Minister of Music Kevin Kline, member Peggy Seitzinger, former State Representative Sheila Miller and descendent Carol Dieffenbach Kantner.
Last year’s inaugural recital featured the Dieffenbach organ built by Christian Dieffenbach (1769-1829). It is a one-manual instrument with twelve stops. Its beautiful facade pipes were painted by Christian’s great grandson Jacob at the time the organ was being rebuilt by Christian’s grandson Thomas in the late 19th Century. In 1973, the organ was rebuilt, and an electric blower was added by Thomas Eader. Last year’s benefit recital and DVD donations helped to raise more than $2,400, which was equally distributed to the five public locations that have Dieffenbach organs.
The three other Dieffenbach organs located in Berks County include one at Reed’s Lutheran Church in Stouchsburg, one at Salem Church in Bethel and one at the Berks History Center, Reading. All require regular upkeep and maintenance. The organ at Salem Church can no longer be played until major repairs are made. The sixth remaining Dieffenbach organ in Berks County is owned by the family. A Dieffenbach organ formerly in an Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County church has been relocated to the National Music Museum in Vermillion, South Dakota.
For those who could not attend the 2014 recital, a DVD is available. They will be available at the information table on Aug. 22 at Friedens Church during the Shartlesville Anniversary Day. Anyone who donates a minimum amount of $15 toward the preservation of the Dieffenbach organs will receive a DVD that includes the one-hour music recital by Adam Dieffenbach, or, people interested in donating can send a check or money order payable to Carol Kantner, with the notation “Dieffenbach Organ Account” on the memo line. Mail it to Carol Kantner, P.O. Box 186, Bernville, PA 19506. All contributions will be used for the preservation of the five public Dieffenbach organs.
