Joan Schoolmaster has been helping the congregation at the East
End Presbyterian Church worship through song for more than 50
years.

On Sunday, the Rev. Dorothy Densmore and her congregation said,
“Thanks.”

In addition to the regular 11 a.m. service, Densmore read
scripture she said pertained to Schoolmaster and her service. She
also discussed Schoolmaster’s history at the church, which is
located on Welch Avenue.

“Think about what our service would be like every week without
music,” Densmore said as she emphasized the importance of worship
through song. “And without (Schoolmaster), we’d have to sing
alone.”

Densmore read a passage she said is normally read on Mother’s
Day, adding it seemed appropriate for Schoolmaster as she was sort
of the “matriarch” at the church.

“You have come to the church, quietly, confidently and
worshipfully offering your gift to the congregation for more than
50 years,” Densmore said to Schoolmaster.

She even joked with Schoolmaster, saying the bench at the organ
is actually “indented” to fit her because she’s been there so
long.

Densmore went on to say that church session records are vague,
but that Schoolmaster must have started between May and September
of 1956. Schoolmaster’s memory, based on how old her children were
when she started playing, she said, differs slightly, but the pair
agreed at any rate, she had been playing the organ at the church
for more than 50 years.

During the special service, Densmore said Schoolmaster must have
played at least 9,000 hymns at the East End Presbyterian Church
alone, and that she “has a heart that overflows,” as illustrated by
her years of service.

“The streets in Heaven are paved with saints like you,” she told
Schoolmaster from the pulpit. “I’m not sure if you’ll be playing
the organ … but God has a special place for you in Heaven, and
there will probably be a bench there that fits you perfectly.”

Schoolmaster’s son, Paul Schoolmaster, presented her with a
remote control that went to an electric carillon installed in the
top of the church recently unbeknownst to Schoolmaster while she
was away from the church for a period of time after a surgery.

Schoolmaster used the remote to activate the carillon and
discovered it was programmed to play her two favorite hymns,
“Amazing Grace” and “The Old Rugged Cross.” Densmore said after the
service the new carillon will play at noon and 6 p.m. daily.

“On behalf of a very grateful congregation,” Densmore said, “we
thank you.” The congregation applauded Schoolmaster and then
finished its service.

Schoolmaster said after the service she started playing the
organ when she was 5-years-old.

“When I graduated from high school,” Schoolmaster said, “I told
my father I wanted to take lessons.”

A Bradford native who has lived in the area all her life, she
played the organ for the First United Methodist Church initially,
she said.

“I love to play and it helps me to keep up on music,”
Schoolmaster said, adding she’s played at other churches and for
other services, including weddings and funerals.

She went on to say she has no plans of retiring at the organist
at the East End Presbyterian Church.

“I’ll continue to play as long as I can,” Schoolmaster said. “I
like this little church.”

A luncheon in her honor was held after the service.