George Dene Barnard

On Saturday, August 10, 2024, George Dene Barnard passed to eternal life with friends at his side – listening to the Golden Jubilee Service from June 2, 2024. After a year of challenges and transitions, Dene made the final transition to be at peace with God. 

 G. Dene Barnard joined the staff of First Congregational Church, UCC, Columbus, Ohio on August 9, 1973, as our Organist and Choir Master. He retired on August 9, 2003, as our Emeritus Organist and Choir Master. Since August of 2003, Dene had been a major part of our life together for the past 21 years – serving in many capacities, including as a Deacon of First Church. 

 Born October 17, 1932, G. Dene Barnard began organ study in his native Canton, OH with teachers Philip Hodel and W. Robert Morrison. Later, he worked with Walter Blodgett of Cleveland and Wilbur Held of Columbus. He earned his B.S. in Liberal Arts at Kent State University and a Master of Sacred Music from Union Theological Seminary in New York, where his teacher was Alec Wyton. He did additional organ work with Russell Saunders and Robert Baker.

 When Dene arrived in 1973, he founded the concert series, bringing some of the finest artists from around the world and throughout the United States to Columbus. He directed the Gallery Choir (adults), Treble Choir (children), and First Church Ringers (handbells.) He retired in 2003 and was named Organist Choirmaster Emeritus. Two stained glass windows reflecting Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Fantasia & Fugue in G Minor” were created and installed in the narthex, and the G. Dene Barnard Fund was established to continue excellence in music.

 Before arriving in Columbus, he held similar positions at Park Avenue Christian Church in New York City, High Street Christian Church in Akron, OH, Trinity Lutheran Church in Canton, OH, St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Massillon, OH, Christ Episcopal Church in West Englewood, NJ, and Grace Episcopal Church in Utica, NY. He was Secretary of the School of Sacred Music at Union Theological Seminary and taught at Mount Union College in Alliance, OH, Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ, Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, OH, Denison University in Granville OH, Trinity Lutheran Seminary and Capital University in Columbus OH.

 For many years, Dene was under concert management and played recitals in the United States, Canada, Barbados, and Germany. He was active in the American Guild of Organists, serving as Dean in the Canton and Columbus Chapters, and he was also active in the Akron, New York City, and Central NY Chapters.

 For many years he traveled with groups of organists and church musicians to cathedrals and parish churches throughout England, Wales, Scotland, also Germany, France, Scandinavia, Spain, and Italy. An Anglophile at heart, Dene was greatly influenced by centuries of choral and organ music by British composers.

 First Church has two world-class, independent pipe organs under its roof: the 1931 Kimball (4 manuals, 66 ranks) and the 1972 Beckerath (3 manuals, 73 ranks) with a total of more than 8,000 pipes, a gifted Adult Choir and bell choir, and more. But Dene often said that the greatest instrument of all was the congregational singing.

Dene's students acquired organ skills and understandings about church music and what was necessary to lead and inspire congregations to a closer relationship with God. Even in his final days, a large portrait of J. S. Bach and the quotation attributed to him – “Soli Deo Gloria” (To God alone be the glory) – hung over the head of Dene’s bed. Dene often seemed surprised when former students and choristers, among parishioners and friends, thanked him for his influence in their life experiences. Genuine humility was known.

 Dene was also known for telling bad jokes and trading “ornery” comments with understanding friends. He was fun and funny; with a twinkle in his eyes, laughter was always present. There were times when he seemed to be a bit like a curmudgeon, but a core of love was in his heart and soul. He was passionate about people, passionate about learning new music and practicing to achieve excellence, passionate about the church, and passionate about God and his faith. At his end, when words failed him, he was still able to recite The Lord’s Prayer.

 First Congregational Church, UCC, was his home and we were his family. After retiring, he sat in the congregation for Sunday services, attended all the concerts and services of Evensong, and was a true presence in the life of the church. He will be missed. Truly, G. Dene Barnard has risen in glory and rests in the eternal love of God.

Heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff at Creekside at the Village and The Cottage at Wexner Heritage Village.

A Memorial Service of Choral Evensong will be held at First Congregational Church, UCC on Sunday, October 6, 2024 at 5 p.m., Prelude at 4:30 p.m. A Reception will follow in the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Dene’s memory to the Barnard Music Fund, First Congregational Church 444 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215.