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First Christian Church, Elizabethton, last Sunday recognized its organist, Gene Estep, for his 50 years of service to the church. For Estep, it was a surprise as some friends from Knoxville came for the service as well as some friends from his high school days. Also, some wrote letters and notes of congratulations.

Estep initially was assistant organist at the church and in 1974 took the position full time. He has missed very few services during that time. “In my earlier years, my wife and I would take an occasional weekend and visit somewhere, but, for the most part, I took my role as organist seriously. And, I still do even though church music has changed and the organ is not appreciated as much as it once was,” said Estep.

In addition to playing for church services, Estep has played at numerous funerals and weddings over the years. “I could not begin to count them,” he said.

He has retired from playing at weddings, but I still do funerals. “Weddings have become so non-traditional. It’s not the traditional wedding music anymore,” Estep explained.

Estep said he had always had a love for music. “It was instilled in me by my junior high school music teacher, Dawn Mauk. In college I studied with Dave Runner, organist for the Milligan Concert Chorus. Both Miss Mauk and Dave were great teachers and had a tremendous influence on me,” he shared.

When he was much younger, Estep played for a youth group at First Christian known as the One Way Singers, who traveled to area churches to sing and give their testimonies. “This was a wonderful experience. They were invited to sing at the Southern Christian Convention and I played. It was great,” the music master recalled.

Estep is passionate about music and he has a keen ear for it. He actually started playing the organ at 12 or 13 years of age and when he attended Milligan College played for the Madrigals and the college chorus. In addition to the organ, he can play the piano, does vocals, and has been choir director at First Christian. “I’ve been in music most of my life. Music is a part of my family heritage, and it continues in my children. My daughter, Cara, plays the piano and sings, and my son, Craig, plays the guitar,” he noted.

“Wonderful Grace of Jesus,” is one of Estep’s favorite hymns. “I do a lot of old hymns, and I know most of their backgrounds. I’m pretty much of a traditionalist when it comes to music. Church congregations now tend to lean more toward contemporary music. However, I still appreciate the old hymns,” he shared.

Estep noted that the organ is not the prominent instrument nor appreciated as it once was. Over the years he has taught piano to some students and at one time taught general chorus in Kingsport. He can play keyboards of all kinds.

Upon the recognition paid to him by First Christian, Estep said, “It has been a good 50 years. I’ve enjoyed and loved my people at First Christian. They have encouraged me. They are like family. I have always loved music.”

He now spends a lot of time doing things for family and taking his grandchildren places. “Family is very important. I love my family,” he said.

Estep would be the first to tell you he is a blessed man. “My music, church, family, and the Lord make my life complete,” he said.