St. Paul's United Church Scarborough

Wayne Strongman CM, Mus. Bac. MA., Director of Music
 

Music is in the heart and soul of worship at St. Paul’s. The congregation’s new mission:
Faithful, Hopeful, Joyful is realized in music ancient and new.
 

Whether it be a soaring hymn with organ and trumpet blazing or a quiet contemplative response, the music surrounds the congregation in a beautiful sunlight-filled sanctuary.
 

In a regular Sunday morning service, our singing is led by our cantor Mary Komech, whose beautiful soprano voice is an inspiration to the singer in all of us, no matter how shy.

 

Special Music Sundays, usually associated with the liturgical calendar, occur about once a month. Guest professional singers and musicians share their talent and experience in classical repertoire that invites a heightened spirituality among
worshippers.
 

The church’s 3-manual Viscount American Classic organ, installed in 2023, is a state-of- the-art electronic instrument imported from Italy, and is enhanced by Canadian digital pipes from Schmidt Organ and Piano Service. 35 speakers as well as the electronic pipes in the renovated chancel and rear gallery, create an envelope of surround sound in the nave.

The Yamaha C3 grand piano action was completely refurbished in July 2025 by Paul Hahn & Co. and provides joyous accompaniment, not only for church services but for community concert groups like Acoustic Harvest.
 

We recently began a volunteer handbell choir of enthusiastic amateurs, to play our 2- octave set of Schulmerich bells. Through patient rehearsals we have managed to perform twice in the past season and look forward to more this year.
 

At St. Paul’s United Church, music serves the words of the Gospel.
 

“Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife.” – Kahlil Gibran