Sisters Retire From Hickory, N.C., Church Keyboard After Nearly 100 Combined Years
Maxine Swanson began playing piano at Temple Baptist Church at 13, when it was still a mission. She is now its only living charter member.
See where this is ›HICKORY, N.C. —
Two sisters who played for worship at Temple Baptist Church in Hickory, N.C., for a combined total of nearly 100 years have retired, the Biblical Recorder reported in a story republished Nov. 3 by Kentucky Today.
Maxine Swanson started as the church's pianist at age 13, while Temple was still a mission congregation. The church was organized in 1949, and Swanson is now its only living charter member, according to the report.
Swanson stepped away at 19, after she married and moved, and came back about a decade later. She later moved from the piano to the organ and kept playing until this year, serving more than 70 years in all.
Her sister, Kay Bumgarner, served more than 25 years, starting as a pianist. She played for more than a year before she was paid anything. “I was just grateful for the opportunity to serve,” Bumgarner said.
Both sisters also took on leadership roles in the church and in the local Baptist association, the Biblical Recorder said.
The congregation honored them with a retirement service on Aug. 16. It included their favorite hymns, a look back at their years of ministry, a last performance by the sisters, and a luncheon.
Lloyd King Jr., Temple Baptist's pastor for 14 years, said the two used their musical gifts to enhance each worship service. “While they are gifted musicians, they remain humble in their service,” King said. “I pray that they have a long and happy retirement.”
