The First Universalist Church of Auburn celebrated 35 years with organist Phil House of Auburn Jan. 8.

House has been the church’s organist since 1988. He has made Auburn UU his home because of the congregation’s mutual respect and compassion for each, according to a news release from Toby Haber at the church.

House was invited to give an organ concert at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, Austria, in 1998, but he is more often found playing at Poland Spring Inn or local nursing homes. “When I see smiles, tears and foot-tapping from someone who previously showed no emotion at all,” House said, “that is spiritual to me. I have reached down into that person’s soul for that moment.”

House has spent a 45-year career in music. He first began playing piano by ear at age 5. Without formal study music, he played at the Bryant Pond Baptist Church at age 12.

House became organist of the Deering Memorial United Methodist Church in South Paris at age 16, as well as the Norway United Methodist Church. He attended Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, for a year. He was hired to play at Auburn UU in 1970 by Vesta Orr, long-time organist, when she was giving up the position.

Moving to Nashville in 1972, House played piano professionally for 13 years as organist at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Nashville and at St. Thomas Hospital Chapel. He returned to Maine in 1986.

House’s music can be heard nearly every Sunday during 10 a.m. worship service at the First Universalist Church of Auburn, 169 Pleasant St. Parking is accessible. For more information, call 207-783-0461 or visit auburnuu.org.

 

 

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