For the past 200 years, First Presbyterian Church has been a cornerstone of the community.
The congregation is one of the oldest houses of worship in Johnson County, giving Franklin’s first settlers a place to gather and worship. Since 1824, faith, service and generosity have been the pillars holding the church up.
But woven throughout its history is the sweet, uplifting sound of music.
As First Presbyterian Church prepares for its bicentennial, the church community has made music a centerpiece of its celebration. The church will host a series of concerts centered around its historic organ — a 1912 Steere implemented into a 1989 Goulding & Wood instrument built in Indianapolis.
Kicking off the celebration will be a performance of one of organ music’s most unique pieces: “La Nativité du Seigneur,” or “The Nativity of the Savior,” by famed French composer Olivier Messiaen.
“God has given me the commission to do all that I do in the music field, whether that’s conducting a choir rehearsal or writing an email to arrange a recital — any of the aspects of what we do here, which I feel are a work of God,” said Colin Andrews, music director at the church.
But Andrews has an even greater vision for the church. He intends to open it up as a music center, teaching everyone from beginners to emerging masters to play organ and piano.
“I’ve had a master plan ever since I came here, first to build the choir then to build the concert series. Now, I want to build an academy here — a center of organ and piano,” Andrews said. “I’ve been teaching a long time, and I want to give the community the benefit of that.
“I want to leave a legacy, a musical legacy, for the community.”
First Presbyterian Church is one of Johnson County’s oldest congregations. The church was founded in 1824, by George King, who was an original settler of Franklin. The church was built on one of 40 acres which were donated by King to found Franklin.
When the population of Franklin grew after the Civil War, a new church with a seating capacity of 600 was built in 1875. The structure used bricks from the original church building and is still in use today at 100 E. Madison St.
In preparation for the church’s bicentennial, the congregation has been brainstorming ways to mark the unique anniversary. While plans are still coming together for celebrations later in the year, one aspect that has come together has been a slate of world-class concerts staged in Franklin.
“We have really nice musical groups that come downtown and play, but the genres of music they tend to play is either country or pop or rock. Here, we’re able to offer another unique genre of music to people they’re not going to hear almost anywhere else,” said Peter Jessen, pastor at First Presbyterian Church. “You’re probably going to hear the best music on the days we have our concerts than anywhere else in the Indianapolis area, just because of the quality of the people and the nature of the music.”
Music has become a focal point for First Presbyterian, thanks to its historic organ as well as Andrews’ pedigree.
Andrews has been the musical director at First Presbyterian Church since 2015. He was born in Bristol, England, and entered the Royal Academy of Music at age 16, later studying in Geneva, Switzerland. During that time, he was a prizewinner at both the 1980 and 1982 Dublin International Organ Competitions in Ireland.
Throughout his career, Andrews has served congregations throughout the United States and has taught at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, East Carolina University, and Florida State University. He also conducts master classes at other institutions. In addition, he frequently tours Europe, Russia, Australia and the United States, excelling in the sacred music written specifically for the organ.
His connections in the music world have paid dividends for Johnson County music aficionados. As touring organ and piano players have come through the United States, Andrews has arranged for them to make a stop in Franklin.
“We tend to attract really, really good musicians like Colin to play this organ, and particularly Colin knows so many people. He’s so well-connected,” Jessen said.
The lead-off concert in First Presbyterian Church’s is one of Andrews’ favorites — Olivier Messiaen.
Among modern organists, Andrews is one of the most qualified to present Messiaen’s music to Johnson County audiences. He is one of five organists who have recorded all of Messiaen’s organ works, and he has been invited to both Oxford University and St. Paul’s Cathedral in London in honor of the composer’s 110th birthday.
Messiaen wrote “La Nativité du Seigneur” as a series of meditations on the seminal moment of Christian faith, from the Virgin Mary with her child to the arrival of the Magi.
Andrews, an expert in Messiaen’s music, will perform accompanied by an extensive visual presentation to help interpret the music.
“A lot of (Messiaen’s) organ music is based on the liturgical church year. His music is very graphic, so I’ll throw up the Scripture passages that he’s trying to put music to, as well as images and anything else,” Jessen said.
Later this year, the church has planned an additional four or five concerts by performers from around the world, including from Hungary and Italy. One of the most anticipated is a concert by Maurice Clerc, former organist of the Cathedral St. Benign, in Dijon, France.
“That will be the major recital of the year, but the other recitalists will be no less luminary than him,” Andrews said.
The concert series is made possible with support from the Branigin Foundation, a Johnson County nonprofit aimed at supporting different community initiatives.
“Through those grants, we’re able to provide this kind of unique offering to the community,” Jessen said.
But while First Presbyterian Church has become an important venue in the world of organ and piano, Andrews envisions it also being a place of music education as well. He has started a music school, offering lessons and his breadth of knowledge to people interested in refining their musical skills.
“I want to identify the next generation of pianists and organists, so we have something in perpetuity for the profession. And I want to do something to help the community,” he said. “I’ve wanted to do this for a long time. We’ve been building the other aspects of the program, but now is the perfect time, with the 200th anniversary to do that as well.”
Already, Andrews has three students studying under his tutelage. But he envisions more finding their musical talent, as well.
“I want to build that base, and I want to assure folks that I’ve taught all ages and all abilities from the beginning of my career,” he said.
AT A GLANCE
Organ and piano lessons
What: An opportunity to learn organ or piano from Colin Andrews, the music director at First Presbyterian Church in Franklin, a world-class organ performer and former instructor at Indiana University and other prestigious institutions.
Who: Andrews has taught all ages and skill levels, so all are welcome.
How to sign up: Contact Andrews at [email protected] or by calling the First Presbyterian Church office at (317) 736- 6952.
IF YOU GO
“La Nativité du Seigneur”
What: An organ concert of the famed work by composer Olivier Messiaen, focused on the Nativity and performed by Colin Andrews.
When: 12:15 p.m. Jan. 28
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 100 E. Madison St., Franklin
Cost: Free
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story said the concert will be held on Jan. 21. The story was edited to reflect the new date of the concert on Jan. 28. The concert is being delayed to fix the church’s organ.
