GALION – Dorothy Haas has always been on “key.”
She’s an accomplished organist who, for more than 65 years now, has been playing for worship services at churches throughout Crawford County. Her permanent bench nowadays, though, is at Windfall Emanuel United Church of Christ in Galion.
She’s at home there.
“I just love playing the organ. I love it.
It does something for me when I play it,” said Dorothy, who has faithfully held the volunteer position at the church for five years now. “They make you feel like family there. They care.
These people really care.”
Every Sunday at 10:30 a.m., Dorothy is a fixture at the keyboard of a Conn organ, while the Rev. Dreama Caudill, co-pastor at Windfall UCC with her husband, Rev. Loyd Caudill, plays piano on the other side. From the prelude to the closing hymn, their music fills the air and inspires the faithful.
“She’s just terrific to work with,” said Rev. Dreama Caudill, whose husband usually preaches for the hourlong service. “She’s just somebody we can count on, and she doesn’t get paid a penny. She volunteers her service and her time. Windfall has been greatly blessed by Dorothy’s ministry and music.”
Dorothy, 80, actually started her regular Sunday stint when she was only 14 years old. Her home church, while growing up in Leesville, St. John Lutheran, needed an organist for one of its three services and asked her to fill the slot. “I have played forever since then.”
She was already playing the piano, having taken lessons since second grade, so with assistance from an organist in the congregation, she quickly adapted to the instrument’s keyboard and pedals. “Some of the older people thought I was going to the races playing some of the songs, and others thought it was just great.”
After her marriage to Roger Haas in 1984, she took over organist duties for two churches near North Robinson – St. Paul Lutheran on State Route 602 for its 9:00 a.m. service and just down the road North Robinson United Methodist Church, which held worship at 10:30.
“They could hear me coming if I had my Camaro Z28,” said Dorothy, who still tools around in the red convertible.
“I’d really romp it when I left St. Paul’s, and it was rat-a-tat-tat at the railroad tracks. That’s really bringing back memories.”
When the couple moved to Bucyrus, they joined Woodlawn United Methodist Church, where Dorothy played for seven years. Classic Methodist hymns, patriotic medleys for Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day services, and plenty of weddings and funerals on the side.
For the last 15 years, she and pianist Carol Bogan have also been performing “Tickling the Ivories” concerts every Christmas at St. John’s, entertaining audiences with fast-paced programs packed with Southern gospel Gaither tunes and holiday favorites like “O’ Holy Night” and “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.”
These days, the retired school bus driver, who racked up 28 years with the Colonel Crawford Local Schools, often practices at home on an electronic Lowrey. But choir members on Sundays might notice she’s playing “In the Garden” without a left shoe. “I can feel the pedal better with just a sock on.”
Dorothy’s passion for playing is obvious. So is her faith in God and her dedication to the two-story brick building on Biddle Road, where she also serves as church treasurer and sits on parish council.
“I like that kind of music, the gospel kind of music, when I can play a song the way I think it should be played,” she said. “It’s just my contribution. “I’m just a person that tries to make music. I just hope it’s uplifting.”
