The debut of an instrument not often heard in churches today – a harpsichord – delighted the congregation of First Christian Church in Wilmington, Ohio, on Easter Sunday. The instrument was lovingly and, at times, painfully restored by the church’s organist, Jim Haskins, a retired professor of music at Wilmington College.
Several years ago, the harpsichord was severely damaged by standing water while it stood in the basement of a college building. The school decided to throw out the fragile instrument but Haskins was unwilling to see it lost forever and acquired it for the church. He spent the last two years restoring the harpsichord in the basement of the church having to not only repair damaged parts but rebuild and fabricate many pieces.
During the dedication for the instrument, Pastor Tom Stephenson said, “This harpsichord is a fitting image for the resurrection we celebrate today; for what was once despised and discarded has now found new life in our midst!”
