For 46 years, La Faye Duren has been playing the pipe organ at Second Baptist Church, blending classical elements with African American spirituals to create a rich, soulful sound. Each Sunday, she plays with precision, her hands gliding over the ivory and brown wooden keys, while her feet, clad in black shoes, maneuver the foot pedals. In the adjacent organ chamber, a mechanical blower sends pressurized air through more than 2,000 pipes, creating the powerful, resonating tones that fill the sacred space.
Duren controls the organ’s sound with just a touch of the console’s knobs, creating everything from high, searing pitches to deep, rumbling tones. The church’s stunning pipe organ is an integral feature of one of San Antonio’s most culturally significant places of worship, and Duren is the one who brings it to life every week.
While Second Baptist Church is not the only church in San Antonio with a pipe organ, Duren’s long-standing commitment to playing here continues a legacy of African American organists in Black churches, which dates back to the period after emancipation.
Rev. Robert L. Jemerson, senior pastor of Second Baptist, describes Duren as “the glue that pulls everything together.” He explains that without her musical talent, the church would lose an essential part of its spiritual atmosphere. “She’s gifted,” he says. “You don’t find musicians of her caliber often. She was born to provide the highest quality music for the church. She has a godly spirit.”
Duren, 70, refers to the pipe organ as “the king of instruments,” and has spent 45 years blending classical hymns with African American spirituals and gospel music. Years of musical training and encouragement from her family and community helped her rise above any doubts or challenges she faced.
Born and raised in segregated San Antonio in the 1960s, Duren began her music studies at age 6. She credits her parents and her community for instilling in her the belief that “the impossible is possible.”
Her early education was shaped by Catholicism during the week, while she and her family worshiped at West End Baptist Church on Sundays. Duren attended Robert E. Lee Elementary School, now Bowden Elementary, during a difficult period of integration, which she describes as an eye-opening experience. She also studied at St. Peter Claver School, now the Healy-Murphy Center, where she received both academic and musical training.
“People weren’t afraid to touch me,” Duren recalls, reflecting on her time at St. Peter Claver, where she received early piano instruction.
In her pre-teen years, Duren grew tired of playing the flute and clarinet, but eventually returned to music. She confided in her mother, telling her that she wanted to “make music again.” Her decision led her to study with Mrs. Hughie Dorn, a teacher who helped her build the foundation for her future career.
At age 16, Dorn encouraged Duren to learn the organ from a nun and experienced organ instructors at the Motherhouse Chapel of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. Another pivotal figure in Duren’s musical journey was Nelson Armstrong, choir director at Mount Zion First Baptist Church, who helped her master liturgical music and organ techniques. Armstrong, now 91, has tutored Duren since she was a teenager. “She was very apt to learn,” Armstrong recalls, “and she’s come a long way.”
Duren graduated from Fox Tech High School in 1973 and went on to study at San Antonio College and Our Lady of the Lake University, where she earned a degree in music.
In 1979, Duren was hired as the organist at Second Baptist Church, where she played the church’s Otto Hoffman Pipe Organ. Two years later, she became a member of the church, and she has been a constant presence ever since. “I love the spirituals and hymns like ‘Holy, Holy, Holy,’” Duren says.
Rev. Jemerson, who is deeply invested in the church’s musical legacy, has supported Duren’s professional development over the years, funding her attendance at workshops around the world. She has studied at some of the world’s most famous organs, including those in Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Oxford University, as well as in Washington, D.C., and New York City.
“This is something my people did for me,” Duren reflects. “They’ve done a lot for my professional growth. I’m truly thankful for these opportunities.”
Duren also shares her expertise with others. She teaches 5th grade at St. Anthony Catholic Elementary School, works with the school choir, and mentors young musicians at Second Baptist.
Her brother, Larry Carpenter, is proud of her accomplishments. “She is definitely in my hall of fame,” he says. “I’m truly honored to be called her brother.”
Second Baptist Church, where Duren has played for nearly five decades, has been a cornerstone of both her life and the San Antonio community. Founded in 1879, the church was initially known as Macedonia Baptist Church and later moved to its current location on East Commerce Street in 1968. The church has always been a gathering place for civic and business leaders, and in 1984, the Texas Historical Commission honored the church for its community impact. In 2020, the Office of Historic Preservation designated Second Baptist as a local landmark.
Duren became aware of the church’s history early in her tenure, particularly as it prepared for its centennial celebration. As she read about past musicians, she realized the significance of her role in continuing that legacy. “I was part of this history, and that really opened my eyes,” she says.
One of Duren’s main motivations is continuing the tradition of organists in Black churches, although the number of organists retiring outpaces those entering the field. The American Guild of Organists reports that fewer students are studying the organ at the college level, and membership in the guild has dropped significantly in recent decades.
Despite these challenges, Duren remains undeterred. She practices up to 12 hours a week and is devoted to keeping the church’s Muller pipe organ in top condition. Installed in 1992 at a cost of $250,000, the organ requires constant care, especially to maintain its temperature and prevent damage from weather extremes. Duren works closely with maintenance staff to ensure the organ remains functional, even monitoring weather reports for potential issues.
Duren’s husband, Korling, has been a constant source of support for her, and she no longer climbs the ladder into the organ chamber herself. After a safety concern, Rev. Jemerson insisted that she stop doing so.
On Sundays, as the congregation prepares for worship, Duren begins to play. Her music fills the sanctuary, blending with the choir’s voices to create a rich, harmonious atmosphere. As she plays, Duren remains grateful for the opportunity to serve. “I love it. You cannot beat it,” she says. “The honor to play it Sunday after Sunday is awesome. It’s a calling. I have to do this, to pass it on.”
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