Experience Surrey’s largest pipe organ this Christmas with organist Frank Ezinga, seasonal music, and festive sing-alongs at Maranatha Church.
Surrey’s Largest Pipe Organ Takes Center Stage
This holiday season, music lovers in Surrey are in for a treat. On Saturday, Dec. 20, Maranatha Canadian Reformed Church (12300 92 Ave.) will host a special Christmas concert featuring Surrey’s largest church pipe organ. Admission is by donation, and everyone is encouraged to join in the festive sing-along led by organist Frank Ezinga from Langley.
The concert starts at 2 p.m., showcasing seasonal sacred music from renowned composers including Asma, Bach, Bedard, Mulder, and Zwart. After the performance, guests can enjoy light refreshments and soak in the holiday spirit.
A Musical Marvel Over a Century in the Making
Though not the oldest, Maranatha’s organ holds the title for largest in Surrey. With 2,386 pipes and more than 3,000 moving parts, this majestic instrument demands careful attention and regular tuning. When played, the A-frame wooden church reverberates with the rich, resonant tones of an organ that has been captivating audiences for over 113 years.
The organ’s pipes range dramatically in size from massive wooden pipes stretching 18 feet to tiny metal ones no bigger than a pencil.
“This building was built for this particular organ,” says Renée van de Kamp, the organ’s caretaker. “We have a beautiful and historic pipe organ that we are privileged to care for and share with the community.”
Two Organs in One
Interestingly, the Maranatha organ is actually a fusion of two historic instruments. It combines a 1912 Casavant organ, originally from Vancouver’s Central Presbyterian Church, with a second organ built by Stanley Haddon in New Westminster between 1961 and 1967. In the mid-1970s, organ builder Kenneth A. Hodgson of White Rock meticulously rebuilt and installed the combination, creating the powerful, versatile instrument that stands today.
This Christmas concert is a rare chance to hear the organ in all its glory while celebrating the season with music, community, and joy.
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