The Organ Prelude this Sunday composed by Gerre Hancock (1934-2012), a noted organ improviser and composer who was the Organist and Master of the Choristers at St. Thomas Church in New York City for many years. His Meditation on “Draw us in the Spirit’s tether” is based on the splendidly tuneful anthem by Harold Friedell (1905-1958), who was Organist and Master of the Choir at St. Bartholomew’s Church, just a few blocks away.

This Sunday marks the return of the full Parish Choir. And this fall also marks the beginning of the commemoration of our sesquicentennial year (1868–2018). At Communion this Sunday, the full choir will sing Locus iste by Austrian composer Anton Bruckner (1824–1896). 

This motet was first sung at the dedication of the Votive Chapel of the newly built Linz cathedral in 1869, the year after St. Peter's was founded. The words are from the Gradual for the anniversary of a dedication of a church. The English translation is: 

This place was made by God,
a priceless sacrament;
it is without reproach

To see this and other pieces of music in the context of St. Peter’s first 150 years, see stpetersepiscopal.org/timeline. This webpage will be continually updated throughout this season.