BOISE, Idaho — A universal sound boomed through downtown Boise blocks Tuesday behind an annual tradition kept alive by a communal effort.
The local chapter of the American Guild of Organists created the Downtown Church Walk two decades ago the share their music, according to First Presbyterian Church of Boise Pastor Rev. Andrew Kukla. It's also become an opportunity for the downtown cathedrals and churches to share their history and architecture.
"The local guild of the American Guild of Organists collapsed here. And so it didn't exist, and they weren't sponsoring it anymore," Kukla said. "I want this place to be a building that leaves its light on."
Kukla and other churches - St. John's Cathedral; Immanuel Lutheran; Hill City Church; St. Michael's Cathedral; First Church of Christ, Scientist - are keeping the tradition alive. It's a tall task to keep true to its roots for an annual event on the day after Christmas.
"We had more people walk through here on Christmas Eve, than we would in a month of normal worship," Kukla said. "And yes, I'm tired. I'm really tired."
Each participating church placed staff members on-site to answer questions. Additionally, organists continued to play for hours, sometimes, accompanied by singing. With many of the buildings being more than 100 years old, their history is ingrained in the city's developmental fabric.
"We get folks who are here because they're interested in the history, or they're interested in the architecture. It just happens to be in a church," Kukla said. "We find ourselves getting families who are like, 'I want to walk around and do the equivalent of looking at Christmas lights, but we're gonna do the church version.'"
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