Anne Moore celebrates an incredible 60 years as an organist in Fahan Church

Anne Moore, who was born in Scotland and settled in Fahan in 1958 after marrying her husband, David, first played the keys of the organ in the Church of Ireland, Fahan on September 30, 1962.

Over the last six decades, she has performed beautiful hymns and music in numerous interdenominational churches right across the diocese, as well as at weddings, funerals, confirmations, parties and everything in between.

It is an wonderful feat and the red letter occasion of her 60th year was marked earlier this week with a hymn sing in the church, which also raised money for the organ repair fund.

Speaking to the Journal, Anne, who was nee Wilson, told how she has firm roots in Fahan, as her father hailed from there. She returned to those roots after marrying the late David, and to the church attended by her paternal grandparents.

The mother-of-five, grandmother-of-five and great grandmother-of-two, began playing the organ when she was just 10 years old in Scotland.

"My mother and father bought me a reconditioned piano. You couldn’t get one after the war and it cost £40. When I was around 14 or 15, I played for the Sunday School in Clyde Bank.”

In 1962, after she had moved to Fahan, the Rector of the Fahan Church of Ireland approached her to tell her the organist, who played at the morning service, was ‘giving it up’., He asked Anne to take over, and the rest is history.

Anne said: “The official date of when I started was September 30, 1962. Canon Dixon recorded it in the preachers’ book.”

Anne admitted that she ‘never thought’ she’d still be there 60 years later, but she very much enjoys it. She had many lovely memories and even played at her children’s weddings. She also played at David’s funeral.

Anne’s 60th year was marked by many. She was presented with a ‘beautiful’ bunch of flowers and a cake following the Harvest Service in Buncrana and was also honoured with ‘generous’ gifts at a recent Sunday service in Fahan. She also planted a tree at the church with her great grandchildren.

On that day, she played the hymn ‘Immortal Invisible God Only Wise,’ which was the first one she ever played 60 years ago.

"That’s the one Canon Dixon chose for me that day. It was his favourite.”

On Sunday, the hymn sing of favourite hymns and requests, organised by Anne herself, took place in the Church. A ‘really lovely’ occasion, those in attendance could request a hymn and dedicate it to someone or something, as well as include a donation to the church organ restoration fund.

Anne, who has also written a book on the history of the church, was delighted with the turn out and thanked everyone who supported it. Anyone who would like to make a donation to the fund can contact:

Rev Canon Judi McGaffin, 32 Berryhill Road, Artigarvan, Strabane, BT82 0EL Co Tyrone, or at The Rectory Buncrana.