Historic Note to Holidays

Get in tune with the Christmas spirit Sunday at a concert of holiday music featuring a historic pipe organ. The event begins at 4 p.m. in the Piru United Methodist Church, 227 Center St.

This is a rare opportunity for the public to hear the second-oldest pipe organ in the state. Built in 1864 by William A. Johnson of Massachusetts, the instrument was originally installed in the Eastside Presbyterian Church in Stockton. In 1934, the organ was bought by the Warring family of Piru for the local Methodist church.

Organ builder Michael McNeil of Lompoc, who did restoration work on the organ during the 1970s, has called it “a priceless historical instrument.” Organist Roberta Palmer of Bardsdale has chosen a program of familiar seasonal melodies and Christmas carols to showcase the special timbre of the instrument. Admission is free and refreshments will be served after the concert.

Both the organ and the church are county historical landmarks, located about a mile from California 126. Take Main Street north from the highway, and go west one block on Center Street. For information, call 524-2697.