Brief History of Grace Lutheran Church

During the summer of 1964 The Rev. Peter Steinke was commissioned by the Mid-Atlantic District of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to survey the area as a possible site for a new church.  The first service was held on Sunday, October 4, 1964 at a local high school auditorium.  On All Saints Day, November 1st, 1964. Grace had its first service under the name of Grace Lutheran Church.  In 1966 Grace purchased a 9 acre tract of land on Harrowgate Road.  The church itself was built and the first service was held in October of l967 and a dedication service on March 3, 1968.  In 1971 pews were purchased for the sanctuary.  Over the years additions were made including offices and a fellowship hall, classroom and a nursery.  As our congregation grew over the years 2 services became necessary.  One service being contemporary and the second traditional.  November 1st is considered Charter Sunday.

Brief History of Grace Lutheran Church Organ

The Grace Estey Pipe Organ was originally ordered and installed in the Methodist Episcopal Church in Chester, Virginia.  The shop order of Opus 2701 shows the installed date to be December 18, 1927.  Grace Lutheran Church acquired the organ on July 1, 1979.  By July 4th a crew of Grace men had completely dismantled the organ, labeled every part and moved them to Grace Lutheran Church.  Installation began immediately and the basic assembly was completed by October 19, 1979.  It was estimated that it took 375 hours of work by the men and women of Grace to clean and reassemble the organ.  On October 23rd a technician was engaged to tune the organ.  In August of 1999 the organ was completely rebuilt.  Later, it was modified to include an upgrade of the appearance of the organ façade  Over the years the Church has had add ons and new stop switches, along with expanding from 7 to 11 ranks, and chimes added.  And the organ’s reliability began to improve.  The “new organ” was dedicated in September 24, 2000

GREAT

Principal 8'

Melodia 8'

Dulciana 8'

Octave 4'

Harmonic Flute 4'

Quint 2-2/3'

Fifteenth 2'

Piccolo 2'

Trumpet 8'

Great To Great 16'

Great Unison Off 8'

Great To Great 4'

Swell To Great 16'

Swell To Great 8'

Swell To Great 4'

Chimes

SWELL

Gedeckt 8'

Salicional 8'

Voix Celeste 8'

Principal 4'

Flute 4'

Salicet 4'

Nazard 2-2/3'

Octave 2'

Flautino 2'

Tierce 1-3/5'

Trumpet 8'

Clarion 4'

Tremolo

Swell To Swell 16'

Swell Unison Off 8'

Swell To Swell 4'

PEDAL

Faux Bourdon 32'

Contrabass 16'

Bourdon 16'

Diapason 8'

Bassflute 8'

Gedeckt 8'

Salicional 8'

Octave 4'

Flute 4'

Octavon 2'

Trombone 16'

Trumpet 8'

Clarion 4'

Great To Pedal 8'

Great To Pedal 4'

Swell To Pedal 8'

Swell To Pedal 4'

2 Manual attached console with electric control and computerized relay and combination.

Crescendo and full organ,