3pm Sunday, June 9
Celebrate our church's 110th anniversary and support needed organ repairs at our free fundraiser concert, featuring the St. James Handbell Choir and Chancel Choir, local musicians, and congregational hymn singing. Reception to follow.
110 Year Anniversary
"Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations."
- Deuteronomy 7:9
God has been good to us at St. James Church, sustaining us from a small gathering of 14 German immigrants in 1914 to who we are today in 2024!
"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
- Lamentations 3:22-23
- Deuteronomy 7:9
God has been good to us at St. James Church, sustaining us from a small gathering of 14 German immigrants in 1914 to who we are today in 2024!
"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
- Lamentations 3:22-23
Organ Needs
Our precious Möller organ, installed in 1957, is used in worship every week and is currently in need of some repairs. The leather on the flute stoppers has deteriorated to where they are loose and no longer able to be manipulated to stay in their proper position. This causes instability of the tuning in that rank. The whole rank needs to be taken out, delivered to the shop, and rebuilt with new felt and leather in the stoppers. The blocks and caps also need to be flattened, as they warp over time. This is an expensive procedure for which we are seeking to raise $8,000.
Social Media
This event was live streamed on Facebook and YouTube!
Support Music and Worship at St. James
This concert is open to everyone at no cost, and we greatly appreciate the performers sharing their time and talents. Donations toward our organ repairs are welcomed either at the door or online, using the button below.
Meet the Performers
Left to right - Donna Vaughn; Jessica Alster; Reagan Shourds; Markéta Sims; Dylan Clark; Angela Hampton; Mark Hampton; Ramona Logsdon; (David Sims); Lily Marks; Summer Marks
In 1969, Esther Munz purchased a 2 octave set of Schulmerich Handbells in memory of her parents. While there was no established handbell program at St. James at that time, Esther had a vision that this could be a new and exciting ministry opportunity for the youth. A few months later, Donna Vaughn was called as part time Organist and Choir Director, but no mention of handbells was made. Upon inspection of the choir area and resources, two unpacked boxes were found and inside were 25 bright and shiny handbells. Our first youth group was formed and we all learned together the joy of ringing. Since that day, the handbell ministry of St. James Church has been ongoing.
We have had numerous members, traveled many miles on tour, attended and taught at Area and National Handbell Events, mentored other ringers and church groups, played in hundreds of worship services and all to the glory of God.
Today our group is comprised of musicians from our church and the community, some that are new to handbells and others who have been playing together for more than 25 years.
St. James Ringers perform on a 5 ½ octave set, two 2 octave sets, a 3 octave set of Schulmerich Handbells, a 3 octave set of Petit Fritsen Handbells, and 6 octaves of Schulmerich and Malmark Chimes.
We have had numerous members, traveled many miles on tour, attended and taught at Area and National Handbell Events, mentored other ringers and church groups, played in hundreds of worship services and all to the glory of God.
Today our group is comprised of musicians from our church and the community, some that are new to handbells and others who have been playing together for more than 25 years.
St. James Ringers perform on a 5 ½ octave set, two 2 octave sets, a 3 octave set of Schulmerich Handbells, a 3 octave set of Petit Fritsen Handbells, and 6 octaves of Schulmerich and Malmark Chimes.
Back row: Cai Matthews; Byron Sykes; Mark Hampton; David Hartwein; Tom Hartwein; David Sims
Front row: Amy Matthews; Markéta Sims; Jennifer Pielemeier; Kristi Sykes; Julie Hartwein; Joyce Pielemeier; Donna Vaughn; Angela Hampton
Established in 1921, our Chancel Choir has been a cornerstone of our church community for over a century. Many of our members have dedicated decades to the choir, their commitment a testament to their love for God and this church. In February of this year, we recognized the Hartwein family for continuously singing in the choir since 1937. We also dedicated new choir robes, which were made possible by the generous contributions of our church's members.
Donna Vaughn is the director of the St. James Church Handbell Ensemble where she served as Music Minister and Organist before retiring. Donna and the Handbell Ministry of St. James Church celebrated 50 years of faithful ringing in 2019. Donna has been an active member of the Handbell Musicians of America since 1970, and has served as Kentucky State Chair, Clinician, and Mentor. Donna is also the Director of The Carillon Ringers at Christ Church United Methodist. She holds a degree in Organ and Church Music from the University of Louisville School of Music, and has taught piano and organ. Donna and her husband Elvis have two daughters, two sons, three granddaughters, and one grandson.
In her twenty-ninth year as Director of Choral Music and Handbells at Floyd Central High School, Angela Vaughn Hampton directs four choirs and two handbell ensembles. In addition, she is the music director for Floyd Central’s Theatre Arts Department. Beyond Floyd Central, she is the Artistic Director of Voces Novae, a semi-professional chorus in Louisville, pianist at St. James Church and a free-lance collaborative pianist. Ensembles under her direction have performed in England, Ireland, Austria, Canada, New York City, Orlando, Boston, Washington D.C., and locally, with the Louisville Chorus and Louisville Orchestra.
A National Board Certified Teacher, Angela holds Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Louisville in Music Education and Choral Conducting. In 2017, Mrs. Hampton was the recipient of a Lilly Endowment Fellowship, allowing her to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation in Germany and explore its connections to J.S. Bach and Felix Mendelssohn. She serves on State Boards for the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) as a Zone Representative and for the Indiana Choral Directors Association (ICDA) as the Repertoire and Resources Chair for Community Choirs. She has served as a clinician for ICDA, IMEA, AGEHR, HMA, the Louisville Suzuki Piano Institute and as a staff member for Kentucky Musicians Abroad.
A National Board Certified Teacher, Angela holds Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Louisville in Music Education and Choral Conducting. In 2017, Mrs. Hampton was the recipient of a Lilly Endowment Fellowship, allowing her to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation in Germany and explore its connections to J.S. Bach and Felix Mendelssohn. She serves on State Boards for the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) as a Zone Representative and for the Indiana Choral Directors Association (ICDA) as the Repertoire and Resources Chair for Community Choirs. She has served as a clinician for ICDA, IMEA, AGEHR, HMA, the Louisville Suzuki Piano Institute and as a staff member for Kentucky Musicians Abroad.
Amy Matthews is the Minister of Music and Worship at St. James Church. In this role, she coordinates with the other church musicians to lead the congregation in song each week from the organ, piano, or viola. She directs the Chancel Choir, plans the worship services, and attends to various administrative needs. She earned a Master’s degree in Worship Studies from The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies in 2021 after having earned an undergraduate degree in Piano and Viola Performance from Cairn University in 2018. Amy moved to Louisville with her husband, Cai, in 2020. They have a young daughter and are expecting a second child later this year. Her family enjoys reading and walking together, and, when they can, going on adventures such as hiking, camping, rafting, and skydiving.
Asia Vincent is a member of St James and a piano teacher with the Bellarmine prep program. She is passionate about making music understandable and accessible to all, and using it to glorify God. She graduated from the University of Louisville in 2022, where she received her Bachelors of Music with an emphasis in Music Therapy. Her principal instrument of study was piano under the guidance and teaching of Dr. Anna Petrova and Dr. Naomi Oliphant. She has directed a summer camp, works with SHINE arts to bring live music and dance to elementary schools, and maintains a private studio.
Anna Johnson is a pianist and flutist who is committed to community engagement and bringing music to the underserved. She has volunteered as a music teacher in Costa Rica, led a musical instrument workshop for local children in Haiti, performed a solo recital for the disabled in Spain, and taught for Portland Piano Program, which partners with a local school to provide free lessons for students in Louisville’s West End. Dr. Johnson earned a B.A. in Music and Piano Pedagogy Certification at Grand Valley State University, received two Masters degrees from the University of Louisville, both in Piano Performance and Pedagogy and in Flute Performance, and recently finished her D.M.A. in Piano Pedagogy at Texas Tech University, along with a Graduate Certificate in Collaborative Piano. In addition, Johnson has been recognized as a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music with the Music Teachers National Association since 2022. Currently, she works as a piano instructor for the Boaz Academy of Music, the Montessori School of Louisville, and the Bellarmine University Preparatory Music & Theater Program, is a freelance collaborative artist, and serves as administrative support for the Frances Clark Center of Keyboard Pedagogy. When not in the practice room or teaching studio, Anna may be found spending time with friends and family, exploring new hiking trails, experimenting in the kitchen, or on the top of a mountain! She and her husband Jeremy are also active in their church and expecting a new little one in November.
South African cellist Lize Dreyer recently finished her master’s degree at the DePaul University School of Music, where she studied under Professor Steve Balderston. After living in South Africa, Singapore, and Houston, Lize and her family moved to Louisville, Kentucky where she was inspired by Professor Paul York at the University of Louisville to embrace music as a career. Lize has participated in orchestral and chamber music festivals in the US, Spain, and South Africa, including the Sitka International Cello Seminar in 2021 and 2022 with internationally acclaimed soloist Zuill Bailey. Since moving to Chicago, Lize has played with various ensembles including Music of the Baroque, the Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago, and the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic.
Directions, Parking, and Accessibility
Our church is conveniently situated just off I-264 at 3535 Taylor Blvd, Louisville, KY 40215. Ample parking is available in lots situated on both the northwest and southwest sides of the building. For wheelchair access, a lift is located at the back of the church building.
Contact Us
Please reach out to Pastor David Sims if you have any questions!
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3535 Taylor Blvd, Louisville, KY 40215
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