Gloria Slagle

The organ is music to her ears. For nearly 50 years, Old Mission’s Organist has elicited sweet sounds from the church’s pipe organ.  In fact, Gloria Slagle is an institution at Old Mission, much like the beautiful instrument she has played week after week, year after year, decade after decade. Gloria is the only full-time organist who’s played the pipe organ that’s graced the church’s sanctuary for almost 40 years.

A devout Jayhawk, she remembers when the KU men’s basketball team won the national championship — the first time. “I saw a lot of the Jayhawks in college,” Gloria recalls. “They practiced in Hoch Auditorium which was where the big organ on campus was, and I also practiced there. In fact, they had a cage they would put around the organ when the Jayhawks practiced so it didn’t get hit by stray balls.”

From the time she was little, Gloria wanted to be a concert organist. Her job at Old Mission has allowed her to put on thousands of performances — from adding music to weddings and funerals to accompanying hundreds of choir performances and contributing to countless Sunday services.

In the “old days” Old Mission hosted many district-wide events, including meetings of the annual conference and regional activities for the United Methodist Women’s organization, many of which would include music selections. “I remember when the sanctuary had drapes,” she says. “And when I started (in 1959) the church had five choirs, including a high school choir, so there was a lot of work to do.”

The St. Joseph, Mo., native can’t remember a time when she wasn’t involved in playing music at church. “My mom and Dad always went to church; we were a church family. I used to play in high school for everything. I’ve been involved in church music all my life,” she says.

More fun facts about Gloria:

What’s your favorite food(s)?

I like popcorn and chocolate.

What are some of your favorite movies?

I like movies starring John Wayne, and the old Charlton Heston movies

For fun I enjoy ...

Baking, gardening, and traveling around the world. I’ve been to all the continents, and I help lead our Sunday School class trips.

Who inspires you?

People like Mother Teresa. I actually got to meet her in her orphanage in India. I got to shake her hand, go through her nursery, and she gave us each a little prayer card.

Tell us about your family...

Darryl and I have been married 50 years this year. He’s the one that got me so interested in traveling and was always active in the church and conference work. He’s been a great support. Our daughter Genelle is a doctor and loves to play the harp; she’s also a member here.