In May of 2013, St. Matthias' Church installed and dedicated of The Susan B. Smith Memorial Organ. This great instrument is something in which our parish takes great pride, and which has enriched our worship, and will for many generations to come.

This marvelous treasure comes to us as a gift through the magnanimous bequest of Susan B. Smith. Sue was a wonderfully audacious member of our parish and the Lakeland community, a supporter of the arts, and a pursuer of knowledge. A number of years ago, Sue happened to visit the Jaeckel workshop in Duluth with a group of us who had attended a concert in that city. At the time, Jaeckel's Opus 45, now at Emory University, was being built, and Sue took delight in the artistry and complexity of operation we saw unfolding. Little did any of us realize that a few years later we would be dedicating an instrument from that very shop to Sue's memory. She too was a visionary, who saw God not just in the safe confines of religion, but in all beauty and music, in knowledge and skill, and in art and nature. With this magnificent organ, we continue feel something of her spirit in the years to come. 

We have been incredibly blessed by builder, Daniel Jaeckel. Not only an organ designer, maker, engineer, craftsman, and musician, he is also a true visionary. His work manifests his immense knowledge of and love for the pipe organ, and the central place which it has long had and will continue to have in the liturgy of the church. All of us who had the opportunity to interact with Dan and his crew, during installation, have come to realize what a wonderful treasure we have, not only in this instrument, but in knowing such skilled and dedicated craftsmen.

This organ, designed solely for this space and congregation, is much more than a musical instrument. It is a symbol of who we are, as we praise God, share the love of Christ, and rejoice in the beauty of sound and art though which the Holy Spirit speaks to us of the Glory of God. 

Organ technical information here.