THE MUSIC will live on in Seattle

It was announced in early February 2023 that the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago found a new home for the Ruth and Paul Manz organ, the glorious instrument that has graced the Augustana Chapel since 2004. The organ, purchased by a Roman Catholic parish in Seattle, Washington, will be relocated to the Church of the Blessed Sacrament before LSTC’s move in June.

The Church of the Blessed Sacrament is a faith community with an active and extensive church music program. The instrument will be one of three organs in its sanctuary and will be actively used in weekly liturgies and for musical instruction with children and University of Washington students. The organ will continue to be called the Ruth and Paul Manz organ by the Church of the Blessed Sacrament community. They will also continue an organ recital series that honors Ruth and Paul Manz by name.

Regarding the organ’s purchase, relocation, and installation, Rev. Erik Christensen, Pastor to the Community and Director of Strategic Initiatives, said, “For nearly 20 years, LSTC’s worship has been supported and enriched by the Ruth and Paul Manz Organ. For many of our students, staff, and faculty— both past and present—it is a primary symbol of our life together in this place. I am personally grateful for those whose gifts to the seminary made it possible for us to benefit from this extraordinary instrument for all these years, and I am delighted to know that it will continue to support the assembly’s song in its new home in the community of The Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Seattle.”

We join Rev. Christensen in gratitude for the organ’s new home.