By Pastor Paul Deming
There’s something about music that transcends boundaries, cultures, race, and backgrounds. It stirs the soul and, on many occasions, inspires and resonates to a level deeper than consciousness. The apostle John wrote, “In the beginning was the Word…” The word, as we know it, is the sound of a vibration. In the beginning was “vibration.” Perhaps all of the universe resonates with the sound of creation, the work of the Creator. “And the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
At the Garden Chapel Sanctuary, thanks to a generous grant from the Swedenborgian Church of North America’s (SCNA) Missions Grant fund, vibrations continue in the form of our Sunday Concert Series. The series that draws from the pool of top talent in Saint Louis to provide performances at our own architecturally noted sanctuary. Here are a few of the highlights from 2026.
The series got started late with a June performance by the 0-60 Band, a contemporary rock band of Illinois performers featuring our own bassist, Parker Seely!
July continued with the Henry Kress Jazz Quintet. Henry was our pianist, a student at Webster University, who has since moved to Philadelphia to pursue graduate studies. The concert combined good music with a going-away party of sorts, as several group fans attended. Also in attendance were our good neighbors who live next door.
August brought a Saint Louis favorite, the Fanfare Band featuring singer Kittie Moller, celebrating fifty years of performing for Saint Louis audiences. The pianist (and frontman) Vincent Golomski, who managed to play keys and bass all from his keyboard while singing, proved once again that some men can multitask (and very well)! The guitarist, Dave Black, is a legend in Saint Louis and has several albums available through local channels. The band has been featured on radio and television. The band played great tunes ranging from the 1950s through today. One of the visiting audience members commented, “What a great show!”
September brought the Matt Rowland Trio to the Garden Chapel Sanctuary. Matt is as comfortable with classical finger style guitar as he was exciting audiences with his masterful lead work on electric guitar. His album Be Like Water is available on Spotify, Apple Music, and Google Play.
In October, we featured our tenth annual BeatleFest with ninety minutes of straight Beatles music. This is a perennial favorite and always draws crowds, missing only one year due to COVID. Many of the favorite Beatles songs are sing-alongs, such as “All You Need Is Love” and “A Little Help from My Friends.”
In December, the Garden Chapel Sanctuary will feature our Eve of Christmas Eve Choral Concert, which includes singers from several area churches and volunteer groups. This has, historically, brought the largest crowds to the chapel and is a favorite way to get into the spirit of the season!
There’s something for everyone in our Sunday Concert Series, and, thanks to the Missions Fund of the SCNA, we will be providing concerts through May 2027, most of which will be livestreamed on Facebook and Zoom. For information, contact Pastor Paul Deming at 314-803-6519 and check our calendar at: GardenChapelSanctuary.org!
Read the full November 2026 issue.
Meet Paul Deming
Paul was installed as pastor of the Garden Chapel Sanctuary in 2016 after completing certification requirements for Licensed Pastors. He is married to Suzy and the father of two grown sons and grandfather to one grandson. Paul is on the ordination path and is completing his seminary training at Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis. He has served on various committees, including Education Resources and the Nominating Committee. Paul is a singer/songwriter, a published composer, and a lover of the arts.
