Category: What we’re singing

The Diamond jubilee for Bellshill Organist

by Bellshill Central, posted in Organist Entertains, Weekly Church News, What we're singing

Alan Mathew, organist at Bellshill’s Central Parish Church for the last 6 years is celebrating the 60th episode of the Organist Entertains series, which has put the town of Bellshill and his church on the map – with weekly online “Virtual Church” videos that have picked up audiences from all around the world.

Alan has played the church organ in various churches since 1996 with now 25 years experience of being an organist, Choir Director and Director of Church Music. Alan said “with churches closing due to COVID-19 and music basically ceasing, this online outlet and outreach has been both a lifeline to me and countless others.   I found myself with little musical purpose but readjusted to online music and ministry, and have found new purpose and motivation to reach out online to a new “congregation” during Virtual Church with the Organist Entertains.”

Alan said: “During the Covid-19 pandemic we felt people needed to be kept connected to their church building and its surroundings.  One of the ways to achieve this was have   also been producing a weekly series called” THE ORGANIST ENTERTAINS” that had received over 30,000 views from around the world from as far away as Australia, Canada, South Africa. Indonesia and the United States of America.


The milestone 50th Golden Episode had over 500 live viewers! And was seen as the pinnacle of the series, but with lockdown conditions not fully lifted the Diamond Episode is a further step towards the 100th anniversary! 


The series showcases what is undoubtedly Bellshill’s finest pipe organ, an honour that the church at 346 Main Street takes seriously. Around 5 years ago a £38, 000 refurbishment project took place to preserve the sounds from the 1930 instrument, by the Hilsdon Organ Company which was based in Glasgow.


As well as organist, Alan is a board member and trustee of the Church.  During Lockdown and the physical closure of the Central building Alan has produced and edited each weekly online service, produced the annual Time to Remember service and complied the Church’s magazine – The Lockdown Chronicle.  As well as being a weekly event with the Organist Entertains, and being a wonderful morale boost to many, the organ AND Alan have helped raise over £700 to church funds with an organ marathon held on 1st May, when he attempted to play has many hymns as possible.  He achieved 314 hymns! Alan said “I am humbled and grateful to the folks that sponsored and donated towards the Hymnathon on 1st May.  It was a wonderfully connected day, as the event was live streamed.  It was a delight to chat virtually with those in attendance online.” 


Alan goes on to say that” the Organist Entertains series will continue for the foreseeable future in its current format.  Once church reopens (hopefully that will not be before too long!) the Organist Entertains will still keep going, perhaps not weekly pre-recorded episodes but moving to a monthly online broadcast. “

Join with Bellshill Central Parish Church on Wednesday 19th May at 8pm for the 60th instalment from Alan (aka the Maestro) and the finest pipe organ in ML4.  All episodes are available and broadcast via the churches YouTube channel. 

UPDATE – Hymnathon 2021

by Bellshill Central, posted in Organist Entertains, Other News, Weekly Church News, What we're singing

Good Day Everyone!

I just thought I would remind everyone about this week’s Fundraising event taking place online via Hymnathon 2021 – Bellshill Central Church (click the link for full details)

Thanks to those who have already requested a particular hymn or set of hymns. These will be included and played in their entirety.

I just wanted to say that you should take part and donate as you are able to do so. I am aware that there have been some “high value” donations, for which I am truly thankful for, but any donation however small is greatly received and appreciated.

For Bellshill Central folks, you can add your donations to your Fundraising Jar, or pay direct into the bank that you pay your offerings to – just mark the reference as “Hymnathon” that way Zandra and June can allocate to the right place.

If you are not a Bellshill Central member or attender you can simply make a donation via the Church of Scotland online payment option for our congregation – its a simple and safe way to donate. You can find that payment page here – Donate to Bellshill Central Parish Church – Church of Scotland

Please choose your Hymns from CH4 (Church Hymnary 4th Edition) that is the plan for the day – for me to play as many hymns out of that particular book as possible. I may not make it right to the end, so that’s why I am asking for requests. If you are making a request please have it to me by Friday 30th April, so the list is ready for Saturday morning. Here is an online version of CH4 to help you choose – Church Hymnary (4th ed.) | Hymnary.org

The Hymnathon will be available from the main page, and on our YouTube channel. Please tune in, participate in some live chat, and sing along at home!!!

Many thanks

The Lenten Hymn – Forty Days

by Bellshill Central, posted in What we're singing

For members of many churches this is the hymn that signals the beginning of Lent, the period of fasting and prayer that leads up to and prepares for Easter. Particularly at the beginning of Lent we remember the example of Jesus who was forty days in the wilderness after his Baptism, working out what his calling was to mean. The hymn, written initially by Smyttan and adapted by Pott (both clergy of the Church of England), follows these thoughts closely.This sombre tune appeared in a Nuremberg publication of 1676 with only the initials MH, which have been variously interpreted as Martin Herbst or the otherwise unknown Martin Heinlein. It is either called ‘Heinlein’ or ‘Aus der Tiefe’ (‘Out of the deep’) from the hymn to which it was originally set.