The History of Clarendon United Methodist Church

2006 was the 100th Anniversary of Clarendon United Methodist Church, which initially began as a small Sunday School gathering in 1901. The first church building was constructed in 1906 near North Jackson and Irving Streets, two blocks north of Wilson Boulevard. The building at 606 N. Irving was built in 1941 and expanded in 1951 to include the three-story Education Wing.

The Gold Stars of Clarendon United Methodist Church

The Schlicker Organ

Replacing the church's original Pilcher organ, the Schlicker organ was installed in 1967

In 1958, the Music Committee at Clarendon consulted with Dr. Harold Gleason of the Eastman School of Music regarding repair or replacement of the Pilcher organ. He recommended replacement. The Organist and Director of Music at the time, John M. Wigent, worked with Dr. Gleason and the Music Committee to select a new organ. "The Schlicker Organ Company of Buffalo, New York, was the unanimous choice" (Clarendon United Methodist Church: The First Ninety Years, by Phyllis W. Johnson). At the time, the church paid $35,000 for the organ.

the Schlicker Organ at Clarendon UMC in Arlington, Virginia

The new organ was first used on Sunday, March 12, 1967, after extensive remodeling of the chancel area. During the following months, four dedicatory recitals were held with performances by Frederick Swann, Oswald G. Ragatz, David S. McBride, and John Wigent, Clarendon's own Music Director and Organist.