Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor is considered one of the composer’s greatest pieces with its dramatic opening flourish and growling pedal note that brings to mind dark and haunting images.

But Bach’s masterful use of the organ has few, if any, rivals and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Fort Pierce plans to highlight that at 2 p.m., Sunday, March 31, when it holds a “Bach-a-thon” to raise money for a new organ. Approximately 40 performers are donating their time to play three hours of Johann Sebastian Bach music.

The church also will have a bake sale and T-shirt sale to help raise money for the organ, which is expected to cost $475,000. The church originally was quoted a price of $1 million for a new organ, but organ builder, Schleuter, offered to build one for less than half that price.

“We have been given this incredible opportunity for a new organ at the cost of about 25 percent more than what it would cost to repair the current organ, which the repaired instrument could only be guaranteed for about 10 years before needing more work,” said Bonita Clark, interim music director at St. Andrew’s. “This new organ would cost almost a million dollars; however, the organ builder, Schleuter, is offering this to us for about $475,000. They have family ties to this area and would like to put in an instrument that would help them bring in other business from South Florida.”

The need for a new organ arose after the church’s existing organ began to show serious signs of wear and tear. “Our organ is in very bad shape – quite a bit of it doesn’t work, including all the pistons, and it is a fire hazard for the church because of some wiring issues,” Clark said. “We have about $125,000 more to go before we can begin work on the new organ. We have only had about two months to try to raise this money – $500,000!”

Clark said the fundraising team also discovered what an amazing outreach the “Bach-a-thon” is for St. Andrew’s. “I was invited to the Downtown Business Association meeting and discovered how much we, St. Andrew’s, are really not supporting or taking part in this community,” she said. “When I reported this to some of those in the choir, we decided we needed to change this and be more active in this community as St. Andrew’s.

“As a result of that Downtown Business Association meeting, a local restaurant reached out to me and said they would be willing to have a “St. Andrew’s Night,” where 20 percent of the proceeds from everyone who mentions St. Andrew’s will be donated to the organ fund. While walking around at First Friday Fest to support this community, another business remembered my announcement at the meeting I had attended and offered all their petty cash they had with them that night for the organ fund. There have been many other meetings with people who have offered help and ideas and support. It has been quite a learning experience!”

For more information on the “Bach-a-thon” or to donate to the organ fund, please call 772-461-5009.