The original organ at 400 Biscayne Boulevard was a gift from the Burdines family, whose generosity helped establish an enduring tradition of sacred music at First Church Miami. Over the years, the instrument became more than a collection of pipes and keys. It became a voice of the congregation, giving expression to joy, sorrow, gratitude, and hope.
When the church prepared to leave its historic building, the question arose of what could be preserved from this beloved instrument. Unfortunately, termites had damaged much of its wooden structure, making it impossible to retain the organ in its entirety. Yet among the damaged pieces were elements that could be saved, including some wooden pipes, other organ pipes, and the magnificent trumpets.
The trumpets carry a particularly meaningful history. They were given by Aubrey Carter in honor of his wife, Lib Carter, who sang in the church choir for an extraordinary 71 years. Her decades of faithful service represent the generations of musicians who have offered their gifts to God and enriched the worshipping life of First Church Miami. Preserving these trumpets ensures that her legacy continues to be heard in the sanctuary.
As plans for the new building developed, Greenleaf Organ Company was entrusted with designing an organ that would bring together the historic elements of the original instrument with the possibilities of a new musical and architectural setting.
The design of the organ console became an opportunity to connect sacred music with one of the central themes of the new church building: transparency.
At the suggestion of Rev. Audrey Warren, Greenleaf Organ Company designed a clear acrylic console, allowing the instrument to complement the openness and transparency expressed throughout the building's architecture. Rather than a traditional solid wooden console, the transparent design offers a contemporary expression of an instrument deeply rooted in centuries of Christian worship.
The result is a beautiful meeting of past and present. Historic pipes and trumpets carry forward the sounds and memories of previous generations, while the new console reflects the church's commitment to openness, creativity, and a faith that continues to evolve.
There is a theological beauty in this transformation.
In Psalm 150, the psalmist calls upon all creation to praise God with instruments, movement, and sound, concluding with the invitation: "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord."
The organ gives expression to this invitation. Its many pipes produce different tones, each contributing to the fullness of the music. Some voices are powerful and commanding, while others are gentle and quiet. Together, they create something far greater than any single pipe could produce alone.
In many ways, the organ reflects the life of the church itself. We are a community of different voices, generations, backgrounds, and experiences. Each person brings a unique gift, and together we create a shared expression of worship and faith.
The restoration and reimagining of the organ also remind us that not everything from the past can be carried into the future unchanged. Some things must be released, while others can be preserved, renewed, and given new purpose. The beauty of the church's history is not found in keeping everything exactly as it once was, but in discerning what continues to give life to the generations that follow.
As First Church Miami celebrates 130 years of ministry in Downtown Miami, the organ stands as a tribute to the generosity of the Burdines family, the faithful musical legacy of Lib Carter, the gift of the trumpets from Aubrey Carter, and the many musicians whose service has shaped the congregation's worship.
Its music reminds us that while buildings change, instruments are rebuilt, and generations come and go, the song of faith continues.
The instrument has changed. The music continues. And the song of God's people is never finished.