ORGANS ARE a longtime staple of the church. They connect the past to the present, weaving values and tradition. They remind us of where we have come from and help guide us as we move forward.
Especially in the South, the sound of the organ forms a sacred and spiritual soundtrack to our lives. One might envision children squirming as quietly as possible in the church pew while the organ plays in the background, as offering plates are passed around. Adults sing in harmony with the organ’s deep, resonant tones while making sure their young children aren’t too loud or restless. Older adults find comfort, peace, and familiarity singing along to the music of the hymns they’ve sung since they were children, trying to sit still in a church pew.
Organs are a consecrated ritual of the church, and so is the individual playing them. They are as important as the pastor, as not just anyone knows how to play those beloved hymns that the congregation holds so dear. They do so just at the right moment, invoking the true feeling of church on a Sunday morning. It’s an important task that is not just for anyone.
Many of these individuals have been playing for decades, some for half a century. They are often irreplaceable because of their skill and their dedication to the job.
Janet Stewart Lindsay is such an individual. Born and raised in Fayetteville, Lindsay has been a longtime member of Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She is also incidentally the church’s organ player. For half a century, she has arrived each Sunday morning to sit upon the wooden bench and play the organ for countless Sunday services.
The church and her family recently recognized her for her 50 years of service to the church. Lindsay’s journey to playing the organ seemed to begin during her childhood, when she took piano lessons from a local, well-known pianist.
Lindsay explained that she was then encouraged to pick up the organ and learn from Malcom Tate, a well-known organist in the area.
“He was wonderful, and he was distantly related to my daddy,” she explained. “My daddy always wanted me to play the organ. So I believe he talked Malcolm into giving me lessons. Malcolm was the organist at the Episcopal Church. When I was 14, I started playing the organ at the church to pay him back for my organ lessons. I played there while I was in high school, and a year or two after I got married. I then became the organist at ARP Church, where I continued to play for some years.”
Lindsay said she was asked to play for Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville during a turn of unique events.
“In 1983, my dad was the Lincoln County Trustee. When he started his 10th year, I was helping him in the busy season, which went from October through March. He passed that December, and I was appointed to take his place as the trustee in January 1984.”
Lindsay continued to explain that for the next 20 years, she served as the trustee for the county. The position was very important to Lindsay and something she took great pride in. She not only served as the county trustee but also as the state president of the Trustees Association and president of the County Officials Association of Tennessee.
One day while working, someone approached her and asked her about becoming the organist at Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
“Someone came up to the trustee’s office and told me they wanted to hire me to be their organist,” she stated. “I told them I could start in March when the tax season slacked off. I started playing the organ for them, and I’ve been there ever since.”
Lindsay said playing the organ is special to her as it’s her way to connect with God. It’s how she comes to worship each Sunday.
When she isn’t in church, you can find her keeping busy. Over the years, Lindsay has been an entrepreneur of sorts, owning Janet’s Flowers, a local flower shop, and Reflections women’s store, which is now known to many as the Tigress.
She has helped many in the area learn how to play the piano by offering lessons. She’s also an accomplished painter who enjoys painting portraits. To her family and friends, she is truly a lady of many talents.
Lindsay offers some sound advice for a life well lived: Variety is the spice of life. Don’t be afraid to try a little bit of everything. You never know when you will find something that you love, like playing the church organ.
“Do what your heart tells you to do,” said Lindsay. “Do the things you like. If you try it and it doesn’t turn, then you’ll at least know you tried it and didn’t miss out.” GN
