Our grand piano is six feet in length, and was built by the Bush and Lane Company.    Bush & Lane, was organized in 1901, in Chicago, IL. and  later relocated to Holland, MI.   They ceased operation in 1930.   Our piano was probably built at  the Holland factory.   Although they were only in business for a mere 30 years, a reputation of quality and tonality always proceeded them.

It has been said, that the “Bush and Lane piano was a high-quality, expensively made instrument”  In 1927 it was reported that, “given a list of the top 10 pianos, they would be Bush & Lane, Steinway, Weber, Knade, etc  They were THAT good.”  The instruments produced by Bush & Lane were, “unique for the volume and purity of its tone and tile durable character of its construction.”

The piano was a gift from the youth (Confirmation Class) of our parish in 1929.   Our young folks purchased the piano from a local organ/piano teacher named Ernst Lind Johnson.  Mr. Johnson lived diagonally behind the church proper on the corner of Foster and Lavinia Streets.  Our youth paid Mr. Johnson, the mighty sum of $600 for the piano.

In June of 2006, a campaign for the restoration of the piano was introduced to the parish.   Almost $20,000 would be needed for complete restoration of the instrument.   The promise made on that day was that the piano would not leave the building for repair,  until all funds were raised.   In almost record breaking time, the funds were recieved.  In August of 2006, the piano was taken to Grand Rapids, MI for restoration.   The piano was returned to us in August 2007.  It has been estimated that the current value of the piano  exceeds some three times the cost of restoration.

Roger Carver of Carver Piano Works near Grand Rapids, MI was comissioned for the restoration.  The case, constructed of solid mahagany, was refinished by Reeder Piano of Lansing, MI;  they also pressed the new ‘spruce’  sound-board into the case.  Because the keys of the piano are ivory, the original action was retained.  The original harp was also retained and refinished.  The remainder of the working parts have been replaced.  This of course includes; the hammers, felts, strings, etc.

As a parish, we are extreemly please to have been entrusted with such a fine instrument.  By restoring this beautiful  piano, it is our prayer that it will be used by future generations, as it has been used by former generations, to praise and glorify God, who is, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Under the direction of our former minister of music, the Rev. Gregg M. DeMey, our piano was rededicated on Sunday,  September 30, 2007.   He was assisted by Mr. Craig Avery, who currently serves as the Director of Music for our parish.  Several works for piano, as well as some enthusiastic congregational singing helped to make the afternoon service a very festive and joyful occassion.