LEE CENTER - On Sunday, Oct. 7, the Lee Center Congregational Church celebrated Sharon Schnell’s 55th year serving as the church as organist. Pastor Jack was out of state for weekend officiating his nephew’s wedding, so Hazel Lovgren organized a musical themed service in his absence. It was indeed a great day. Many thanks to everyone who attended the service. Schnell really had a great day celebrating with her church family.

To give you a little history, Mrs. Ullrich played the organ at the church for more than 40 years. After Sharon and Roger were married on Sept. 1, 1963, Sharon began helping Mrs. Ullrich by playing in church once in a while as needed.

Then on Sunday, Oct. 6, 1968, Sharon officially took over as head organist replacing Mrs. Ullrich. This day was documented in Grandpa Vernon Schnell’s daily diary. Since then, she has volunteered her time and talents almost every Sunday. She has been a good and faithful servant.

Sharon thanks her extended family and husband for tending to her three girls while they were small, that allowed her to be in the balcony playing the organ.

“The Lord has been good to us,” said Sharon.

There’s a lot of things that Sharon has done throughout all those years sitting on her organ bench in the balcony, she has watched many kids ring the bell (and pull that rope up and down), she has received communion numerous times from the corner of the organ, waved at friendly curious kids during the children’s sermons, played different hymns on quick request from pastors during services, memorized several Bible school songs, smiled while playing for weddings, cried while playing for friends’ funerals, and probably noticed all that went on in the pews during services.

Sharon continues to take piano lessons from Bill Hertel at Grace Notes Music Studio in Dixon. Sharon passed her love of music to her daughter Amy and her family, who are involved in music at their church and school. Amy’s daughter will graduate with a degree in Music Education from the University of Illinois soon.

Sharon doesn’t remember exactly how many pastors she has served under over the years and she can’t narrow down a favorite hymn, “there are just too many that she loves.”

Indeed, it takes a special person to be a church organist. Congratulations on your 55 years of service.