Longtime organist says music enhances worship

February 15, 2024

For more than 50 years, Peggy Baumgarten played the organ for St. Augustine Parish in Milo.

She didn’t feel qualified for it. Her experience, when she began in 1969, was just three years of piano. 

But there was a need and she helped.

“Everyone insisted I did a good job. I just couldn’t see the church without an organist,” she said.

St. Augustine is part of what was a trio of parishes called Holy Trinity of Southeast Warren County, comprised of St. Mary of Perpetual Help in Rosemount (which burned down in 2004), St. Mary of the Assumption in Lacona, and St. Augustine in Milo. The organist in Rosemount was looking for organ players for the Milo church and recruited girls.

“She knew I played some piano in high school,” Baumgarten remembered. “She got us all started on Christmas. We all had to play one of the hymns. That started it all.”

For a while, she and another lady shared duties until the church in Milo burned down in 1976. A new church was built and dedicated in 1979, but Baumgarten’s music partner didn’t continue playing the organ. 

She did it for nearly 10 years herself until another teenage girl started helping in 2017. A few years later, she couldn’t continue and it was Baumgarten again.

Though she may have doubted her skill, and it wasn’t always easy (she had five children with her at church), she played the organ for Mass and funerals.

Why? Music is an important part of worshipping God, she said. 

“I think music helps to make the Mass. Music adds a lot to the worship. It’s just not the same when you don’t have the music there.”

Baumgarten recently passed on the opportunity to provide music to someone else.

“Peggy continues to help out when needed,” said Amy Welch, a fellow parishioner at St. Augustine Parish. “While the organist was gone for the Christmas Masses, Peggy was there.”

Baumgarten hopes those who have musical abilities offer to share their gift of music with others.

“In these small parishes, a lot of them need help,” she said. “It’s important to just volunteer if they know there’s a need.” 

The parish is appreciative of her dedication.

“Peggy is one of the most kindhearted people, and a beacon of God’s love,” Welch said.