A message from the Pastor, Monsignor Richard J. Huneger
To: Friends of St Joseph Church, Sacred Music, and the Casavant Pipe Organ Project Re: Casavant Pipe Organ Matching Gift Opportunity From: Msgr Richard Huneger Date: June 28, 2017
In 2012 St Joseph Church received a gift from Pacific Lutheran University: a magnificent Casavant Pipe Organ, built in 1952, which had to be set aside when the existing PLU Music Building was repurposed to a Performing Arts Center.
The pipe organ, built the same year as our church, and a perfect fit for our choir loft chambers, with over 2,800 pipes, is now in storage in the Gym and Church basements. Generous donors have given about $230,000, so far, toward a grand total of about $530,000 to cover dismantling, shipping, storage, refurbishing, reconfiguration, and installation costs.
A local bank recently informed us that a $100,000 matching gift "challenge" account has been set up by an anonymous parishioner, to inspire us toward our dream.
So we need your help, soon! We must raise $100,000 (between June 1, 2017-December 1, 2017) to receive the $100,000 matching gift. An additional $100,000 will complete fundraising. Restoration takes about six months.
"Casavant" is to "pipe organ" as "Stradivarius" is to "violin." Check out www.Casavant.ca .
Contributions of any amount are welcome. Please use the donation form (located below).
Payments in cash or in check can be sent to the Parish Office, 721 Chemeketa Street NE, Salem, OR 97301. Or, you can donate online at www.stjosephchurch.com .
A September 8th Dinner Fundraiser with Archbishop Sample as the keynote speaker will take place at Illahe Country Club on September 8th. Contact: Teri Martinez, terim@stjosephchurch.com .
This pipe organ is not "just an instrument," but an integral part of the goal of being a regional resource for "best experience" training in Sacred Music.
Adopt-a-Pipe for the St. Joseph Church Casavant Pipe Organ
I would like to "adopt" ___________ pipes at $150 each. Total: $___________________ In lieu of adopting a pipe, accept my gift of $____________________
For each of the above an adoption "certificate" will be sent to you for inclusion with your own card to the appropriate party at the appropriate time, be it a birthday, graduation, baptism, confirmation, first communion, wedding, anniversary, promotion, Christmas or other occasion.
Send this form with your payment to:
Pipe Organ Matching Grant
St Joseph Church, 721 Chemeketa St, NE, Salem, OR 97301