Organist at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lorain going strong after 55 years.
(As printed in the Lorain Morning Journal on Easter Sunday.)
Congratulations, Carol!
Congratulations, Carol!
Carol Keene has been playing the organ at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lorain since 1970, and continues enjoying leading the congregation in hymns. “Oh, I love it,” said Keene of being the organist for decades at the church located at 4501 Clinton Ave. in Lorain. Keene, 87, began playing piano and taking lessons when she was about 7 years old. “I was just interested in it,” she said. “I had some friends that were taking lessons, and I wanted to do it, too.” Keene played during a Good Friday service and expects to on Easter as well.
Keene and her late husband, Richard, grew up in Massachusetts. In 1958, Keene said her family and her husband’s parents moved to Amherst to find better jobs at the Ford Motor plant in Lorain. A few years later, Keene and her husband moved to Lorain.
Their friends invited them to the church they attended, the Christ Lutheran Church, which then was called Our Savior, she said. “We had some friends invite us and we just never left,” Keene said. When the church merged with another one, for a short time Keene and another woman alternated as organists. Since then, Keene has been the organist and said she continues to enjoy her work. Keene and her husband had six children, Russell, Douglas, Nancy, Brenda, Scott and Brian. The couple’s youngest son Brian Keene, is a pastor at a Nebraska church, said his proud mother.
Keene also served as the church’s secretary until she retired three years ago. Keene, who has a piano at her home, normally chooses the hymns for the congregation. She then hands them over to the church secretary who types them up for the congregation. Keene doesn’t require a lot of practice these days, going into the church at 9 a.m. Sunday mornings to practice. By the time the service starts at 10 a.m., she said she’s ready to play. “I really enjoy it,” Keene added.
David Yonkings, president of the church council, praised Keene for her years of service: “I just want to pay tribute to Carol for her commitment and steadfast to the church for 55 years on being the organist at this building,” Yonkings said. “Fifty-five years, that’s a lifetime. “She has been here through good times and bad times. She has played organ for four different pastors over the years, whom have all retired, but yet she’s still playing the keys.
Keene and her late husband, Richard, grew up in Massachusetts. In 1958, Keene said her family and her husband’s parents moved to Amherst to find better jobs at the Ford Motor plant in Lorain. A few years later, Keene and her husband moved to Lorain.
Their friends invited them to the church they attended, the Christ Lutheran Church, which then was called Our Savior, she said. “We had some friends invite us and we just never left,” Keene said. When the church merged with another one, for a short time Keene and another woman alternated as organists. Since then, Keene has been the organist and said she continues to enjoy her work. Keene and her husband had six children, Russell, Douglas, Nancy, Brenda, Scott and Brian. The couple’s youngest son Brian Keene, is a pastor at a Nebraska church, said his proud mother.
Keene also served as the church’s secretary until she retired three years ago. Keene, who has a piano at her home, normally chooses the hymns for the congregation. She then hands them over to the church secretary who types them up for the congregation. Keene doesn’t require a lot of practice these days, going into the church at 9 a.m. Sunday mornings to practice. By the time the service starts at 10 a.m., she said she’s ready to play. “I really enjoy it,” Keene added.
David Yonkings, president of the church council, praised Keene for her years of service: “I just want to pay tribute to Carol for her commitment and steadfast to the church for 55 years on being the organist at this building,” Yonkings said. “Fifty-five years, that’s a lifetime. “She has been here through good times and bad times. She has played organ for four different pastors over the years, whom have all retired, but yet she’s still playing the keys.
