Franklin church maintains accomplished music program

The regal blast of an organ filled the spacious sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church in Franklin.

Colin Andrews, the musical director of the church, played the 1912 Steere organ, implemented into an 1989 Goulding & Wood instrument built in Indianapolis. From the panel of brass-colored pipes stretching almost to the ceiling, a myriad of tones and notes danced through the empty church building.

The historic organ, considered one of the finest in the state of Indiana, is very much in place inside the longstanding Franklin church. Together, it is part of a larger musical legacy that First Presbyterian has cultivated and grown even today.

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First Presbyterian Church has established an outsized musical tradition within its congregation. Participants both past and present have found great success at everything from composing to conducting to performing.

Andrews was a professor of music at Indiana University and an expert of French master Olivier Messian’s organ music. A former choir leader is now a student choir leader and composer at Yale University. The church has hosted multiple famous touring musicians, most notably one of Poland’s most talented organists, Gedymin Grubba.

“It raises up in us a deep appreciation of what we have. It’s wonderful that we can bring this kind of quality to our worship services,” said Pastor Peter Jessen. “We can give God our best, and continue to challenge ourselves to do so.”

First Presbyterian Church is one of Johnson County’s oldest congregations. The church was founded in 1824, by George King, who was an original settler of Franklin. The church was built on one of 40 acres which were donated by King for the creation of the town.

When the population of Franklin grew after the Civil War, a new church with a seating capacity of 600 was built in 1875. The structure used bricks from the original church building and is still in use today at the site on East Madison Street.

With a history stretching back 195 years, First Presbyterian Church’s legacy is deeply ingrained in Franklin. Music has always been a part of that history. Andrews has fit perfectly into that mindset.

He had been a professor of music at Indiana University, starting in the school of music in 2009. He was also a touring organist, excelling in the sacred music written specifically for the organ. About four years ago, he saw a posting regarding an opening for musical director at First Presbyterian Church.

“There’s a deep, deep appreciation there for the best that’s ever been composed in sacred music. That’s what he brings us. He challenges us to drink deeply out of that very deep well,” Jessen said.

After meeting with Jessen, Andrews decided that the church was an ideal fit for him. He felt welcomed by the down-to-earth congregation, and the historic nature of the church building was comforting to him.

“I’m from England, so ancient is in my bones. The church I had my first organ lessons in dates from the 10th century,” he said. “I was struck by the people, how open and wonderful they were. And then the building, of course, it really struck a chord with me.”

As the music director and organist, Andrews started by ingratiating himself with the all-volunteer choir. One of his first goals was to establish two section leaders into the choir, which would add a layer of leadership within the choir.

Using his connections from Indiana University, two section leaders were hired to work with the choir. That has remained an ongoing program.

“That adds a solidity. But having said that, many of the volunteers in the choir have had some vocal training, so that has been a plus immediately. Plus, they’ve been singing in the choir many, many years. They were able to move to the next level,” Andrews said.

Paul Mortilla served as a choir section leader at the church. He came to First Presbyterian from the Indiana University, where he was earning his bachelor’s degree in music. After graduation, Mortilla went on to become a graduate student at Yale University, where he is a choir section leader at the University Church of Yale (Battell Chapel).

But his time in Franklin made an impact on Mortilla. He composed an anthem for the choir and dedicated it to the congregation. The piece premiered on March 3.

“That’s a wonderful thing where someone is affected by the music ministry so much and is as at home here. That’s another testament to the congregation, how much Paul felt at home,” Andrews said.

Creating a feeling of community within the choir was also important to Andrews. The choir now takes four retreats each year where the members can gather to work on projects, sing and also to be together as a group.

As the choir members have become more comfortable, Andrews can push for more challenging and complex pieces of music. During the Christmas season, the choir presents a dazzling arrangement of carols and hymns for the annual candlelight service.

On Maundy Thursday service this year, the choir performed a piece called “The Requiem” by John Rutter, an English composer. The seven-movement piece takes about 40 minutes to perform, and poignantly reflects the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus, yet also illumines the promise of the resurrection, Andrews said. A cellist, Kevin Flynn, has been brought in from Indiana University to participate as well.

“You have to bring the music together, you have to bring the voice together, you have to bring the people together,” he said. “Being able to do that is very satisfying.”

The music ministry has also tried to reach outside the church walls to better reach the greater Franklin and Johnson County communities. Public organ concerts have always been part of the offering at First Presbyterian, but in recent years, Andrews has used his connections as an international touring organist to draw some of the most talented performers in the world to the church.

In late March, the church hosted Grubba, an accomplished organist, composer and conductor, who played a selection of Lenten-themed music from Baroque musicians.

The church will host a professor from the Moscow Conservatory, one of the world’s top music schools, in the fall.

“It’s wonderful what we’ve been able to do here, and what (Andrews) has brought to us. A little Presbyterian church in little Franklin, Indiana, has a world-class musician at the helm,” Jessen said.

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First Presbyterian Church of Franklin

Where: 100 E. Madison St.

Established: 1824

Pastor: Peter Jessen

Music director: Colin Andrews

How to get involved: The church is always looking for additional participants for the music program. Anyone interested can contact the church at 317-736-6952 or at [email protected].

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