By: Susan Tanner
Rachel Spencer, 96, has been playing the piano for a church for 83 years! She was just 13 years old when she started playing for a church in Covington, Virginia. Her father, Walter Hickman, would let her drive their car to church then as well.
Spencer’s family has deep ARP roots. Her grandparents were members of Broad Creek ARP Church in Natural Bridge, VA. Spencer’s parents were founding members of Edgemont ARP Church in Covington, VA, with her dad, Walter, the church’s first elder. Spencer has been a member of Covenant ARP Church in Statesville, NC, since 1975.
Rachel has always played piano for a church. She says, “Music is a ministry. I love it, and I have been able to give back to the church all these years.”
Rachel Spencer’s mom, Nannie Elizabeth Hickman, was a pianist. She would ride a horse to her piano lessons. Spencer’s whole family was musically talented. Spencer was the first of her family to attend college, followed by her brother and sister. She graduated from Erskine College in 1946 with a degree in Published School Music and Piano.
Following college, Rachel needed money, so she worked at the Barium Springs Orphanage in Troutman, NC. The orphanage was a working farm at the time. She worked as the music director for five years. While she was there, she met her husband, Lee. Lee had grown up at the orphanage and returned to work there after the war. They married in 1948.
Lee and Rachel Spencer joined Covenant ARP Church in Statesville in 1975 when she became the music director in charge of playing the piano, organ and directing the choirs. Rev. Charles Mitchell was the pastor at that time. The Spencer’s have four children. Richard, Earl, Eddie, former ARP Minister, and Nancy (who died at age 35.) Rachel would recruit her kids at an early age to participate in the various choirs at the church.
Rachel would lead the Handbell Choirs, Children Musicals, and Junior Choirs during her time at Covenant ARP. The children would play musical instruments such as sticks, bells, and triangles. She also taught piano lessons in her home for many years.
In 1983 and 1984, Rachel was the Conference Director for Music Conference at Bonclarken Conference Center.
Rachel is still very active at her church, volunteering to play the piano twice a month. She has a weekly “recital” at her Assisted Living home which the residents look forward to. Recently, she assisted with a Hymn Sing. Spencer plays for the Barium Springs Orphanage Homecoming every year as well.
“God has given me a music talent and still lets me use it,” Spencer said.
What makes Rachel Spencer so special? Besides her love of music and the difference she has made to each church and person she runs into, she has always played for free.
“If you want to play music, you must practice,” Spencer said. “You won’t get far if you don’t. I encourage students to play for churches. Hymn playing is not as easy as most people think because you have to always be looking four notes ahead.”
Rachel’s favorite hymn is “Open My Eyes That I May See.” Her favorite Psalm is #26 in the back, “Let Them Praise His Name.”
Rev. Jeff Richards, the pastor of Covenant ARP Church, had this to say about Rachel, “I met Rachel Spencer four years ago when I was candidating at Covenant ARP Church in Statesville. My first impression of her was that she was a godly, capable, and joyful woman. She is always smiling and has a word of encouragement for all. I did not realize that she had been a teacher for many years, but I was not at all surprised to hear of this. One evening she led games in our fellowship hall and did so in a manner in which she engaged everyone and assured that all had an enjoyable time. Every Sunday, she plays a few hymns before our combined adult Sunday School class and shares the responsibility for playing the piano in our morning worship service. She loves her family, too, and it has been a pleasure to have them all worship with us periodically. What a delightful lady!”