My first church position...well...

Roswell Mill

I don't go back that far in Roswell...

Canton Street in Historic Roswell today

But I remember when this was Gene and Gabes the Lodge Italian Restaurant and it was originally the Masonic Lodge in 1870. And I remember being told that there was a movie theatre in that block as well. There was also Feckoury's store, Doris' barbershop... and the sheriff's office....oh no, that was in Mayberry.

Barber shop?

This is where I got my hair cut. It's just down the sidewalk from the previous picture. And Coke was a nickel from the machine! With all of us, Roswell has changed.

But I promised something about my first church position. Of course my first church position was volunteer! I was the pianist for children's church at Roswell Presbyterian Church and the method was "stump the pianist." There was no pre-selected list of songs or Order of Worship. The leader, Miz Mac, took song/hymn requests and I played them, mostly by heart. Trial by fire. I was about twelve.

Roswell Youth Day Parade - Presbyterian Church Float

Of course, like many other young organists-to-be I would take any gig I could get. Here I am atop the Roswell Presbyterian Church Youth Day Parade float pumping away on the church's old reed organ!

The Southeastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America purchased the property at the corner of Elkins Road and Alpharetta Highway from my grandmother for the site of their new church in 1973. That church was called Cross of Life. Folklore has it that Grandma sold the property to a church so no liquor store could be built nearby.

Grandma's house. Church was to the left.

My first paying position was summer substitute organist at Cross of Life, I was fourteen. It was practically on our property - I could walk to work! (We lived next door to Grandma)

The organ was a Baldwin spinet. It had two half keyboards and thirteen short pedals. Not the grandest of beginnings but there you have it. 

Baldwin Spinet Organ

In the late 80's the church sold the building and property (in a sweet deal) to a developer and moved around the corner to Hembree Road. By the way, no more Baldwin spinet, there is a two manual Moeller pipe organ in the current Sanctuary. 

Next time...my first brush with the Methodists.