OCEAN CITY — The congregation of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Ocean City recently held a Sunday luncheon to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Elsworth Wheatley as Minister of Music.
Church Pastor Reverend Gregg Knepp, commended Elsworth for the quality of his service to the church and presented a gift of appreciation from the congregation. Wheatley’s sister, Cathy Morgan, accompanied St. Peter’s choir members in an anthem to honor Elsworth.
Wheatley has been a church organist since the age of 13. A graduate of Salisbury University and Shenandoah University, Winchester, Virginia, he is musician, teacher and director.
When he came to St. Peter’s, Elsworth was to direct the choir and play the organ for worship services. Since that time, he has originated the contemporary music group known as Free Spirit, started the Hand Bell Choir and the Eighth Notes Choir for the Sunday early service, formed the Brass Ensemble and recruited many area musicians to perform at St. Peter’s.
A versatile musician, Elsworth plays piano, organ, violin, trumpet, trombone, accordion and guitar. He gives private music lessons and he tunes and repairs pianos. He has arranged numerous musical selections for the Hand Bell and Chancel Choir of St. Peter’s.
Elsworth also serves as organist at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Ocean City and at the Park Seventh Day Adventist Church in Salisbury.