Deas Chapel, the century-old historic African-American church in Clarkesville, was nearly filled to capacity Sunday afternoon with members of the community during the dedication ceremony of the restored Shipman organ that is nearly 100 years old. Approximately 40 people crowded into the small renovated chapel not only to hear about the organ but about the history of the community that attended the chapel and the music they shared.
The organ restoration efforts were led by the former owners and employees of Standard Telephone Company, the city of Clarkesville, and Audrey Davenport. Stewart Swanson, the grandson of Standard Telephone Company former owner H.M. Stewart, led the dedication ceremony.
The Shipman pump organ was obtained by the Deas Chapel congregation sometime after 1905. History doesn’t tell us how the one-room chapel obtained the pump organ. What history does tell us is that the organ was played by Mrs. Clara Davis. She played the organ for nearly 5 decades to the African Methodist Episcopalian congregation that met at Deas Chapel.
The organ restoration
According to Clarkesville Mayor Barrie Aycock, the organ was restored by Michael Morris of Stone Mountain. His restoration efforts took approximately six months to complete.
Musician Bruce Brownlow communicated with Morris about the organ. According to Brownlow, Morris was amazed at the condition of the organ. There was no water damage, insect damage, or rot to the organ. Morris stated to Brownlow, “If any of those things were present, we could not do anything.” Brownlow explained that the church did a really good job protecting the organ over the years.
Swanson stated that in 2024, you don’t just go to somebody and ask can they restore an organ or do they happen to have a reed laying around. He explained to the audience that Morris took the organ apart and was able to rebuild the whole thing to at least 95% complete, with only just a few reeds that could not be found today.
Swanson recognized Morris’ work on the organ. “To Michael Morris, who did the heavy lifting, he did the hard work, we really appreciate it.”
Reminiscent of a congregation from years gone by, after the unveiling of the organ, those in attendance sang a handful of hymns that were some of the favorites of the Davis family. Brownlow played the restored organ last played by Clara Davis nearly 40 years ago.
Dedication to the Davis family
The organ was dedicated by the men and women of Standard Telephone Company in the memory of Henry and Clara Davis and their three daughters. Mercedes, their oldest daughter passed away a few years ago. However, their two other daughters and a niece were in attendance at the ceremony.
Henry and Clara were not only active in the African-American community but in the larger Habersham and surrounding community.
Clara Davis
Henry’s wife Clara was remembered during the dedication ceremony as not only as the organ player for her church but as an exceptional cook, wonderful hostess, and working actively in organizing the youth in her church. She worked more behind the scenes according to Swanson.
Swanson shared that Clara, on her own free will, worked with medical personnel in the community to come to Deas Chapel and administer immunizations to the children in the congregation to ensure they were protected.
Her other efforts included periodic hearing and eye examinations for the children.
She hosted bake sales to raise money for the children and made sure each family had a first aid kit.
Henry Davis
Henry began working in Clarkesville for a general store owner and founder of what would become Standard Telephone, In 1917, M.C. York. York hired Henry at the age of 14 to make and haul telephone poles for the fledgling company. At that time, he was the company’s only employee.
He learned the technical side of the telephone business, installing phones, stringing wire as a lineman, and fixing outages as they occurred. Henry worked for Standard Telephone Company for 50 years, retiring in 1967, having been promoted throughout his career to the highest operational level in the company. To this day, the Windstream Communications Operations Building in Baldwin, GA bears his name “The Henry Davis Building.”
Henry made such an impression on the community, in 1977 he was selected to be the Grand Marshall of the Mountain Laurel parade in Clarkesville. President Jimmy Carter wrote to Henry Davis shortly afterward with accolades and praise.
Swanson shared what his grandfather stated in a letter about Henry to the local newspaper when a reporter inquired about what he would share about Henry being selected the Grand Marshall. “It is my conviction that the highest compliment a man can aspire to be is to be recognized as a gentleman. I have long regarded Henry Davis as the epitome of the term,” H.M. Stewart Sr. stated. Stewart’s letter also stated, “At the time of his retirement, in 1967, Henry Davis may well have been the best known and most highly respected man in Habersham County.”
Henry and Clara were married for 56 years. Henry passed away at the age of 79 in 1982. Clara passed away in 1983 at the age of 83.
Daughters gratitude
Lucy Davis Bland who is 90 years old and flew in from Chandler, Arizona to be a part of the event. She is the youngest daughter of the Davis’ and spoke about the dedication. After the ceremony, she stated, “This means so much. I want to thank everyone for coming out and celebrating them. We are just so well blessed.” She adds, “I think it was just a beautiful, beautiful day. I know my Mom and Dad, they were looking down. They were here in spirit.”
Jeannene Davis Gosey who is the middle daughter at 91 years old and lives in Lawrenceville, Georgia. The ceremony was an emotional one for her. “I sat there in aw. When I heard that organ first play, tears came down my eyes because I could actually hear my Mom playing the organ. I’m sure of it.” She adds, “We are so thankful of Lucy and I were able to participate.”
