Mirfield organist marks five decades of music

Pauline Rodgerson trained as a pianist while her father was organist at their local church in Northorpe. She took over the post when he passed away in 1962.

The church amalgamated with St Andrew’s Methodist Church in 1965, but Mrs Rodgerson stayed on as organist and has remained in post ever since.

Parishioners thanked Mrs Rodgerson, 73, for her long tenure as organist – 50 years to the day after she started the job.

“The church put on a lunch for everyone that wanted to come and I was presented with a cheque and flowers and a cake,” she said.

“The children made me a medal. It was lovely. We had a great day together.”

Mrs Rodgerson, of Northorpe Lane, is also choirmistress at St Andrew’s in Old Bank Road, and continues to enjoy both roles.

“I just love it,” she said.

“It’s my way of expressing by faith. I look at it as a calling because I have always enjoyed it so much.”