Historic Overview
First Congregational Church, organized in 1866, dedicated its second church building at 13th and L in 1887. One of the features of this new building was its pipe organ, one of the first in the city. Carrie Bell Raymond became the church organist and served as organist and director of music for 40 years. The largest bell in our current carillon is named in her memory.
In 1887, First Congregational Church also organized Plymouth Congregational Church located at 17th and A. Very quickly Plymouth Congregational Church had its own distinction in the ministry of music. One of its priorities was to have a fine pipe organ in its building. Also during the season of 1895-96, six musical events for the church and community were planned by the Plymouth Choir of that congregation. The price for all six musicals was 50 cents for a season ticket, and 10 cents per musical without a season ticket. It was the forerunner of our current concert series called Abendmusik: Lincoln.
First Congregational Church and Plymouth Congregational Church merged in 1923, and the music ministry took on an expanded role especially when this building was completed in 1931. A new pipe organ and carillon were great additions to the ministry of music.
Wilbur Chenoweth, who was a professor in the University of Nebraska School of Music, H. T. Rangeler and Josephine Waddell were some of the distinguished Ministers of Music at First-Plymouth Church. In 1940 Dr. Arthur Westbrook, Chairman of the Department of Music at the University of Nebraska began a long association with the church as Director of Music with Myron Roberts as the organist who was also a professor at the University.
When Westbrook and Roberts retired, First-Plymouth began employing a full-time minister of music and this tradition has continued. Richard Morris had this position until 1972.
In 1972, The Rev. Dr. Otis Young was called to serve as senior minister of First-Plymouth Church. In September of 1972 he hired John (Jack) Levick as Minister of Music. During Jack Levick’s 31 year tenure, the ministry of music in the church and in the community continued to grow and expand on the solid foundation that had already been laid.
The carillon was renovated and expanded and its bells continue to ring in the city. It's no accident that two of the premier carillon bell players in this country learned the art here, Milford Myhre and Ronald Barnes.
Musical Firsts
First-Plymouth became the first Lincoln church to host a professional, resident brass ensemble and the first to introduce the Christmas Eve tradition of the English "Lessons and Carols." Along with the Nebraska Chamber Orchestra, the service was broadcast before a national audience on the CBS Television Network on Christmas Eve, 1980.
Touring Choir
The Plymouth Choir has undertaken four European concert tours including the honor of being the featured choir at the International Church Music Festival at Coventry Cathedral in 1994.
New Pipe Organs
Two new pipe organs, an antiphonal organ in the balcony and a 110 rank symphonic organ in the main chancel, were built by the Schoenstein organ company. The Lied Organ, named after a major community donor, is one of the largest and most versatile organs in the country. The excellence of these new organs has been acclaimed not only throughout the United States, but also by organists from England, France, Germany and Australia.
Collaborations
Through its outreach, First-Plymouth today enjoys a close relationship with United Church of Christ affiliated Doane College in Crete, Nebraska, the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Omaha and Kearney, Wesleyan University, the Lincoln and Omaha Symphony Orchestras, and Lincoln Organ Showcase, high school choirs and many others.
Music Heard via Broadcasts
The beautiful music created at First-Plymouth is shared with many listeners throughout Nebraska and Iowa via the church’s extensive radio and television outreach programs.
