First Christian Church of Washington celebrates its homecoming this weekend with a couple of special music events.
“This is the first time we’ve had concerts associated with our homecoming,” said Dr. Beth Clark, the church’s music director.
The church’s former organist, Joseph Roenbeck, returns for an organ recital in the sanctuary at 7 p.m. today.
Roenbeck, a graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts, will play popular music from the Big Band era of the 1930s and 1940s.
Clark said Roenbeck is a talented, entertaining musician who likes to think outside the box.
He returned last year to play an accompaniment to the 1928 French silent film “The Passion of Joan of Arc.”
The weekend events cap off with a performance by the Barton College Gospel Choir in the church sanctuary Sunday at 4 p.m. The day’s events also include an 11 a.m. service and lunch at noon.
The choir has about 20 members. It is backed by an organist, drummer, bass guitarist and keyboardist.
The concerts were made possible by the church’s Roberson-Bagwell Endowment Fund, a fund set up by Hannah Bagwell. She was the church’s choir director for 40 years.
Clark said the fund is divided into three parts. The fund covers the church’s community festival, its Bill Bagwell Bell Choir and an annual choir retreat. Anything left over is used for events like this weekend’s offerings.
First Christian Church is located at 401 E. Second St. For more information about the concerts, call 946-4293.