Alice Cowles Doane (wife of our first Pastor John Doane) and her sister Mary Flagler Cowles presented the organ to the church in memory of their late mother Lois Mary Cowles.  The dedicatory service was held on September 28, 1924.  As we go through 2024, we will be celebrating this anniversary with several special concerts and receptions. This column will share interesting historical facts about the organ and its vital place in our worship.

The organ was constructed by the Austin Organ Company of Hartford, Connecticut, at a cost of over $10,000.  Austin Organ Co. is one of the oldest continuously operating organ manufacturers in the United States, their first organ having been built in 1893.  Most significantly for San Diegans, Austin built the Spreckles Pavilion Organ in Balboa Park in 1914, just 10 years before they built the Mission Hills Congregational organ.