St Peter’s Organist Honoured for 55 Years of Service

Published by Charlie Bohan-Hurst on March 12, 2025

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A dedicated church organist has been recognised for 55 years of faithful service at St Peter’s Church, Gorleston.

Matthew Hardy first played the organ at St Peter’s on the First Sunday of Lent in 1970 (age 12). Over half a century later, on Sunday, he was presented with a Certificate of Honour by Fr Alvan Ibeh accompanied by a well deserved round of applause in appreciation, celebrating his incredible dedication to the parish and its music ministry.

The Mass procession was accompanied in fitting fashion by the hymn “Praise to the holiest in the height”, which was the first hymn Matthew played for the same Mass 55 years ago.

During his time at St Peter’s, Matthew played a key role in raising funds for the parish including for the installation of the Copeman Hart organ in 1996. Matthew also established The Chorus of St. Cecilia, a choir which for 40 years has continued to perform in many churches and theatres in the local area and beyond.

St. Peter’s has been fortunate to rejoice in its musical worship for the past 55 years. In the present day the Parish remains active and blessed to have a very talented (and growing) Parish choir, a roster of cantors, instrumentalists, two additional organists and an enriched musical liturgy organised and held together by its Director of Music – Janet Rust. The Parish also benefits from its own composers. Matthew has himself composed music for Mass settings as well as fellow friend and parishioner, Chris Whiting, who continues to compose music for the Parish.

The Parish is fortunate to have Fr. Alvan who himself is an active musician who both supports and actively participates in the musical life of the Parish. The Parish also embraces its international cultures with musical contributions from its Syro-Malabar, Filipino and Nigerian communities (among others).

Of course much of the music in the Parish, as in any Parish, is in need of rich accompaniment from the organ, which requires an organist. An organist is a rare luxury in 2025 and St. Peter’s remain blessed and thankful to have Matthew as a good and faithful servant in its midst to pull out the stops and shepherd the pipes. Long may it continue!

However, after nearly 30 years, the organ is reaching the end of its life, and urgent funds are needed for a £40,000 rebuild.

To support this cause, Matthew is preparing for an extraordinary 10-hour sponsored Organ Marathon on Thursday, 10 April, playing continuously from 8:30 to 18:30 at St Peter’s Church. The church will remain open throughout the day, and everyone is warmly invited to drop in, listen, and offer support.

There will also be an opportunity to request hymns, either in person on the day or via WhatsApp in advance.