Whispers of ‘hallelujah’ and ‘amen’ have been coming from the history halls lately. The newest item to make the permanent collection at the MusĂ©e Morinville Museum is one that is likely more familiar to many of the town’s churchgoers. At least the inspirational sound of it should be familiar.
The museum recently received a donation of the Baldwin Cinema III electric organ that was played in the St. Jean Baptiste Church throughout the 1990s.
“It’s a really nice organ … probably top of the line at the time,” said museum attendant Donna Garrett.
It was indeed the top of the line during its day and was an expensive purchase, more than 35 years ago. It was originally donated to the church by Adolphe and Florence Boissoneault, a surname of particular local significance as it goes back to the town’s founding families.
Adolphe first learned to play the pipe organ at St. John’s College in Edmonton when he was a student in the 1950s. The 81-year-old then came to be the director of the 45-member choir at the St. Jean Baptiste Church starting in 1974, and he would play the hymns on the original grand 1925 Casavant Freres tubular pneumatic organ at the church.
He and Florence purchased the Baldwin organ so that he could practice at home. He continued to play at the church until 1983.
Later, the pneumatic organ needed repairs and maintenance so the Boissoneaults donated the Baldwin to the church. When the repairs were finished, they took the Baldwin back home
“It had served well in our Catholic St. Jean Baptiste Church. It’s very fortunate and proud and happy to be in our Morinville museum still looking great,” Boissoneault said.
He demonstrated by playing a sample to prove that it’s in perfect condition, offering a beautiful hymn.
“It is a beautiful piece. We’re so fortunate to have it in our collection now. It’s so relevant … the prominence of it being in the church and being owned by a founding family. That’s why we’re so pleased,” Garrett said. “It’s unbelievable. It’s really, really something. It’s in perfect shape.”
