ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, August 11, 1996 TAG: 9608090104
SECTION: DISCOVER ROANOKE VALLEY PAGE: 22 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRISTINA NUCKOLS STAFF WRITER
Amazing Grace hardly describes Louise Gibson's debut on the organ at her church.
"I walked in with the choir and turned over a chair getting to the organ," she said, turning a little pink. "I almost fainted, I guess. I made it, but it wasn't easy. I just whispered a prayer."
It was Jan. 20, 1929, and Gibson was 22 years old. She persevered through that Wednesday evening prayer service and - 67 years later - she's still organist at Melrose Baptist Church.
"I'm still an amateur," she said, admitting that even now she's susceptible to occasional bouts of nerves.
Melrose Baptist Church was still on Melrose Avenue when Gibson's family moved from Patrick County to Roanoke. She was 6 years old.
Gibson was baptized and grew up in the church. It wasn't until after she had graduated in the first class at Jefferson High School that Aurelia Bower Sawyer, the church's first and only organist at the time, approached her after a service.
"She asked me if I would like to play the organ," Gibson recalled. "At first, I told her no, but then I thought about it and then I told her yes."
Gibson's father had left his job during a strike at Norfolk and Western Railway for one with less pay, so the family had to make sacrifices to pay for their daughter's lessons, but soon Gibson began to study piano and organ under Sawyer.
"We became the best of friends," Gibson said of her mentor. "In the first place, I thought she was beautiful. I thought she was so stately."
When Sawyer died in 1974, Gibson became the church's main organist. During Gibson's tenure, the church has moved to a new site in Roanoke County and she's on her third organ. She still misses the original pump organ.
"I don't take to new things very well," she said.
Church members say Gibson's contribution goes far beyond the music.
"She keeps up with people," said Theriel Rumburg. "She calls people who are elderly. I think everyone who goes there knows her. She's very important to our church."
"Her genuine concern and big smile has ministered to all of us at one time or another," added the Rev. Larry Sprouse.
Gibson now has two assistants to help out, but she still plays at least once a week for Wednesday prayer meetings, Sunday services or meetings of her senior adult group.
"I just love it," she said. "It's been the highlight of my life."
LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ALAN SPEARMAN STAFF This stained-glass window inby CNBMelrose Baptist Church was donated by longtime organist Louise
Gibson. color