SMITHFIELD—In one of the last events to commemorate the country’s 400th anniversary, the Franklin Music Study Club presented a “Historic Hymn Festival” Sunday at

the oldest church in the country—St Luke’s Episcopal in Smithfield, circa 1632.

Nearly 80 voices, accompanied by the Tidewater Brass Ensemble of Norfolk and organist Hal Whitley of Courtland Baptist Church on the English, Walker Pipe Organ, rang throughout the tiny brick structure, radiating far beyond the court yard of the church.

“Oh, it was beautiful,” said Whitley. “We couldn’t have asked for a better turnout.”

Currently serving as president of the music study club, Whitley came up with the idea of a festival to celebrate the founding of America a few months ago.

As director of music at his church, he directed the community chorus for the county’s 250th anniversary in 1999 and thought this would be a good way to pay tribute to the country’s forefathers.

“We contacted the community chorus members and all the church choirs in the surrounding area to see how the idea would go over.

“The response was great,” he said. “We actually had 88 people sign up.”

The hour-long service was conducted by pastors from two area Episcopal churches, The Rev. Ed Pickup from Emmanuel Episcopal in Franklin and The Rev. James Browder of St. Luke’s Episcopal in Courtland.

Whitley and the brass ensemble performed from the

tiny balcony of the church, while the chorus all but filled the 120-seat sanctuary.

As lighting inside the church is poor, the festival was held at 3 p.m. to take advantage of the afternoon sunlight.