Organist plays for 59 years

A small child's love of music has grown into a special gift that continues to bless the congregation of St. John's Lutheran Church of Lyon's Creek, northwest of Herington, after more than half a century.

Eunice Knuth has been instrumental to the church music program since she began serving as the organist 59 years ago. Knuth said that she developed a love of music at a young age and was encouraged to pursue this interest by her parents.

"I always enjoyed music since I was a child," she said. "Ever since I was two years old."

Knuth plays the Hinners pipe organ on Sunday mornings at the 143- year-old rural Herington church.

Although Knuth never received any formal musical training, she learned to play the piano in the 1881 stone parsonage on the east side of the church. Pictures of musical notes were placed at the back of the piano keys, and she learned to associate the notes in the church hymnal with where they were located on the keyboard.

"Jesus, Love of My Soul" was the first song Knuth learned to play, and her family enjoyed listening to this hymn, she said. The Rev. George Klattenhoff was Knuth's father, and he had become the pastor of the church when the family moved to Herington from Booneville, Mo.

The Rev. Klattenhoff served as pastor there for 25 years, from 1931 to 1956. Knuth has served as the church organist since 1945.

For four and a half years, Knuth also served as the church organist for Trinity Lutheran Church in Ramona, 18 miles southwest of Herington.

Knuth attended the one-room parochial school on the west side of the church. It was one of her teachers who encouraged her to play the pipe organ at church. As Knuth was growing up, the church had two worship services on Sunday --- one was in German and the other was in English. Knuth said she especially enjoyed playing the organ during worship services that her father led.

Knuth met her husband, Norman, through her involvement with the church. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June.

Knuth has served as the church organist for 11 pastors and vacancy pastors during her many years. She has developed special friendships with them, she said.

There is a special close working relationship that exists between the church organist and the pastor that many people don't realize, Knuth said.

The Lutheran Church is known as "The Singing Church" and the traditional liturgy of The Lutheran Hymnal requires the pastor and organist to work together during the worship service because of the responsive singing used in the corporate style of worship. Knuth not only serves as the church organist on Sundays but also for special weeknight services during the church year. Knuth also substitutes at other area Missouri-Synod Lutheran churches when there is a need.

The Rev. John Riebhoff, current pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church, coordinates the hymn selection for each Sunday with Knuth according to the topic of his sermon. He has relied on Knuth's experience and long-term association with the church to help him transition to his new congregation.

Former Vacancy Pastor Tim Kersten said Knuth's rich background and experience in music ministry has been a great benefit to the church and to him because music helps lay the groundwork for the church to worship.

"It's been a true joy working with Eunice as the church organist," Kersten said.

Knuth and Kersten have continued to stay in touch with each other through e-mail and telephone calls. The Rev. Kersten currently is ministering to soldiers as a chaplain in the U.S. Army in Iraq.

The congregation continues to appreciate Knuth's devotion to the church through her time and sharing of her musical talent.

Knuth said she plans to continue to use her musical talents to serve the church as long as she is able.

"I just love to play the organ," she said. "If I ever had to quit, it would be hard."

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Eunice Knuth has served as the organist for St. John's Lutheran Church of Lyon's Creek since 1945. She has served for 11 pastors and vacancy pastors.

Please see ORGANIST, Page 3

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Organist: Knuth wants to continue

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