Day 14: Pipe Dreams

What a wonderful morning! We enjoyed the worship service, especially the music, at First Presbyterian, Springfield. The congregation was very welcoming, and we admired the seven Tiffany windows gracing the sanctuary. The Lincolns' pew sits in the narthex, although the sanctuary at the time of their attendance was torn down and replaced by the current one in the mid-1860s. (The present sanctuary was the site of Mary Todd Lincoln's funeral in 1882.)

The best part, however, was meeting Dr. Rudolf Zuiderveld, the church's organist and a recently retired professor of music at nearby Illinois College. We had a few minutes of conversation with him before the service; when he learned that Kelsey is keeping up with her piano practice thanks to a small keyboard in the camper, he invited her to the balcony after service to play the incredible Brombaugh pipe organ! Not only did he let her play it, he gave us 45 minutes of his time, demonstrating the enormous variety of sounds the 3,250-pipe organ can make and playing some absolutely beautiful music. Dr. Zuiderveld couldn't have been more gracious to us, and Kelsey was so excited by the experience. He commented on her touch with the keys and her natural musicality, encouraging her to keep playing and having fun with music. Then he had her sign the organ's guestbook. What a rich time of inspiration and entertainment for all of us!

After a quick lunch at a sandwich shop (thanks, Bryants!), a few more of the brass rubbings and a diesel fill-up, we headed back to the campground for some pre-trip cleaning and a fierce game of Clue. We hope you've enjoyed your Sunday, too.

The Brombaugh Organ, First Presbyterian Church of Springfield

Dr. Rudolf (Rudy) Zuiderveld

The concert begins!

The Lincolns' pew

Kendall disappeared in the late afternoon...and we finally found her!