Record-breaking Organist Tenure?

Lorna Glesne of Bunde Christian Reformed Church in Clara City, Minn., told us about the long service of 96-year-old organist Mildred “Millie” Meyer, who has been playing for Bunde CRC for 82 years. Meyer told The Banner she began playing piano for Sunday school at age 12 and graduated to playing the organ by age 14.

She was one of “quite a few players” for the congregation, Meyer said. She still plays occasionally for Bunde CRC, but the church’s use of a worship team for most services and the availability of other organists means fewer opportunities.

However, for 26 years, nine months and counting, Mildred has also played for Raymond (Minn.) Methodist Church two or three services a month. Mildred said she answered an ad in the paper for the Methodist’s organist job in 1999 and she turned down payment, just wanting to play.

Telling The Banner she doesn’t have a favorite hymn, she said, “I really enjoy when I can hear the congregation sing along.” In 2024 The Clara City Herald featured Mildred in an article that surmised she could be the world-record holder for longest tenure as a church pianist/organist—an honor that’s officially held by an Ohio woman for 80 years and 188 days—if she’d want to seek the honor. It’s not something Meyer has pursued.

But she was named a Kandiyohi County Outstanding Senior Citizen at the Kandiyohi County Fair in August 2019. Nominated for the honor by friends and family, “Meyer was credited for her longtime volunteer service with veterans, the Raymond (Minn.) Garden Club and sharing her musical talents at churches and area senior facilities,” the West Central Tribune reported at the time.