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Centennial Anthem Highlights Attleboro (MA) Fest
ATTLEBORO, MA (May 8, 2003) - The Evangelical Covenant Church of Attleboro hosted
a music festival last Sunday afternoon to continue its 100th year
celebration, with about 300 attendees hearing a commissioned centennial
anthem performed for the first time, according to minister of music
Elizabeth Norfrey.
An adult choir, a children's choir, a four-octave handbell choir and a
brass ensemble took part in singing and playing a new rendition of the
well-known hymn "Holy God, We Praise Thy Name." Composer Hal Hopson took
the simple hymn (which is among those in the Covenant Hymnal) and revamped
it into a concertato - a more elaborate arrangement of the piece. The hymn
is based on the fourth century prayer "Te Deum" (We Praise You O God) and
Norfrey was impressed that Hopson's commissioned
work stayed true to the intent of the original hymn while adding beautiful
yet simple innovations that "made the children sound like angels."
Two of the guest musicians at the event are parishioners at the Evangelical
Covenant Church of Riverside, Rhode Island - Paul Bowser (trumpet) and John
McMurry (trombone). David Norfrey, Elizabeth's husband, played the organ
that afternoon while Norfrey's daughter, Lisa, (piano accompanist for the
choir/handbell choir) and Crista (children's choir singer) also
participated. In another interesting twist, 10 of those who participated in
one of the choirs are direct descendants of charter members of the church.
Sunday's festival was funded in part by an anonymous gift and proceeds from
the Arthur and Dorothy Johnson Choir Fund and the Christine MacPherson
Memorial Music Fund. It seemed to harmonize the nostalgic with a freshness
of sound that made for a memorable day. There also were a few interesting
stories about the church's music heritage that came to light.
"The granddaughter of the first choir director of the church (Betty Larson)
got up and spoke about her grandfather (Carl Moberg), telling us how he got
paid only $5 per month for his ministry," Norfrey said.
The Attleboro congregation began celebrating its 100th anniversary with a
January 26 luncheon. On October 5 the church will culminate its centennial
festivities during an afternoon banquet at the Highland Country Club in
Attleboro. Evangelical Covenant Church President Glenn R. Palmberg will
preach at the morning service earlier that day.
Founded January 24, 1903 as the Swedish Evangelical Free Church, the
Evangelical Covenant Church of Attleboro had its beginnings much earlier as
the first Swedish service in Attleboro was held in 1892. Many of the 25
charter members were involved in a Missionary Society that helped organize
the church. It joined the Covenant in 1949.
The Attleboro congregation currently has an average worship attendance of
249 under pastor Kent Palmquist. For more information about the centennial
events at the church, call 508-226-6221.
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