The oldest house of worship in the neighborhood, Bedford Park Congregational Church, founded in 1889 and designated a historic landmark in 2000, is receiving an early Christmas gift this year. On Sunday, Dec. 13, for the first time in 10 years, members of the congregation will be able to enjoy the sound of organ music in their sanctuary, as they dedicate a new Rodgers digital organ.

Several months ago, the trustees considered completely restoring their 1930s-era Möller pipe organ, which was purchased second-hand from another church in the 1950s. The instrument had endured water damage due to a leaky roof, which has since been repaired.

The Möller Company’s many famous pipe organs around the U.S. include those at the chapels of the U.S. service academies (West Point, Naval and Air Force Academies). Möller also built organs in the first three decades of the 20th century for Morris and Evander Childs high schools.

The quote the trustees received to completely restore the 58-year-old organ ranged from $87,000 to $179,000, an amount the small congregation could never hope to raise. Instead, with funds on hand, the church found it was able to buy a top-of-the-line digital organ and install it inside the existing organ cabinet, while leaving the original system of Möller pipes and pedals intact. Eventually, the church has the option to connect the new musical instrument to the original one.

Following the service dedicating the new digital organ, a potluck Christmas meal will be shared. All in the community are welcome to attend the service to hear the playing of the organ by Vladimir Yudilevich, and participate in the meal ($10 donation requested).

Additional upcoming services include one on Christmas Eve (Thursday, Dec. 24 at 7:30 p.m.), and New Year’s Eve (Thursday, Dec. 31, at 7:30 p.m.), when the church will once again resonate with the sound of traditional hymns and Christmas carols.