On Friday, October 7, at 7 o'clock p.m., organist Dr. James Welch will play a concert to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Bardsdale United Methodist pipe organ. The concert is a return engagement for Dr. Welch, who played the original organ dedication concert in 1986 to an overflow crowd.

Former university organist at UC Santa Barbara, Dr. Welch teaches at Santa Clara University, serves as organist at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Palo Alto, and concertizes around the world. He and his wife Deanne are parents of sons Nicholas and Jameson.

At Bardsdale church Dr. Welch will play a program of delightful pieces, especially chosen for an audience of both new and seasoned music lovers, including families. His program will feature a toccata on “Amazing Grace'' by J. Christopher Pardini and an arrangement of “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Classical favorites include Bach's “Jig” Fugue and the famous “Toccata” from Widor's Fifth Symphony, which will climax the hour-long program.

The 12-rank pipe organ was custom-built for the church by historic Schoenstein & Co. of San Francisco, Jack M. Bethards, president. Built in 2 stages, the instrument was completed in 1993 when the chimes, given in memory of Angela Grice Young, were hung. Gold-leafed pipes were antiqued to make the instrument look as though it were built at the same time as the Church.

The Bardsdale United Methodist Church, located at 1498 Bardsdale Avenue, 3 miles south of Fillmore, is both a National Historic Landmark and Ventura County Landmark No. 50. The congregation first met in 1892, and the building cornerstone was laid 1898. In 2012, the Church plans events to celebrate its twelve decades of ministry in the Fillmore area.

A free-will offering will be taken. A meet-the-artist reception will follow. Quick tours of the organ chamber are available before the concert begins.