St. Paul’s Foley Expands Its Musical Legacy with Noack Organ

The beautiful music at St. Paul's in Foley is even more joyful thanks to the recent installation of the Noack Organ Opus 170, made possible by a generous donation from an anonymous donor. The organ, one of few, only-pipe organs in Baldwin County, was dedicated on November 1st during an Evensong for the Feast of All Saints, with more than 115 church and community members attending.

The installation was more than two years in the making. In 2023, the Rev. Brent Norris was approached by the donor, who had heard the acoustics in the nave years before and believed the building would be the perfect location for a quality pipe organ.

"I was baffled," said Norris. "Why would this donor, who had never been a member and was not connected to the community, want to do something so generous for the community? It was incredible."

The vestry of St. Paul's was discerning in their consideration, weighing the cost of potential ongoing expenses, and ultimately decided to accept the donation. Noack Organ Company of Georgetown, Mass., was contracted to design and build the instrument.

The donor's generous contribution to the church has not only enriched its worship but also expanded cultural possibilities for the region, bringing new opportunities for community engagement and musical education.

"This part of Baldwin County has a growing cultural scene and is ripe for developing a richer cultural identity," Norris said. "This organ provides another tool for that development for the region, while also allowing us to get more people onto the campus. Anything that increases curiosity, interest, and awareness of our church is a win. We want to be the salt and the light of the community; increasing our visibility gives us more chances to do that."

The church lacked the traditional locations for the organ, which necessitated a construction project in the nave that resulted in an innovative solution: a beautiful white oak case to house the 16 ranks, or sets, totaling just under 950 pipes. The solid case spans the main entrance door and complements the church's architecture. The placement ensured that the organ occupied minimal floor space while also serving as a visual and musical welcome, a living symbol of the music's central place in the church's life.

"St. Paul's is immensely grateful for the investment that was made in our church and our community," said Norris.