Pull Out All the Stops

Breaking News: Union Receives $25,000 Challenge

For Union to receive a $25,000 gift for a new Watts Chapel organ, an anonymous donor has challenged the seminary to raise an additional $25,000 in matching gifts. Support the seminary’s Watts Chapel Organ Fund today and double the value of your gift through the challenge.

Union’s current organ was more than 80 years old when donated to the seminary in 1961. It has become so unreliable that it’s no longer used in chapel services. For a seminary that is more than 200 years old and well known for the high caliber of its academic programs, it’s time to have an organ that is designed and built specifically for our Watts Chapel. It’s not unheard of for church organs to cost $3 million or more. Based on our needs and the size of Watts Chapel, we have negotiated with organ builders to purchase one for the modest price of $400,000.

The primary purpose of purchasing a new pipe organ is to inspire our students with a modern, well-designed organ that is a powerful example of an instrument vital to the life of the church. Experiencing how a pipe organ supports sustained congregational singing should be part of each student’s education at Union as they learn how to plan and present programs that coordinate liturgy and music in church services.

Union has raised more than $300,000 of its $400,000 goal. Your gift can make a significant difference to Union’s Music Program by adding an additional $50,000 to the Organ Fund.