A century-old piano finds its voice again in a Battleford church

The piano belonged to Glenn Goodman, a North Battleford musician whose life was closely tied to music in the community. He died in May 2025. His wife, Myrna Goodman, helped arrange for the instrument to be donated so it could continue to be played.

It is a 1923 Canadian-made Weber baby grand piano measuring about six and a half feet in length.

For Trost, the change was immediate.

“We were using just a small electric piano, so it’s a real treat to have something the size and this quality,” she said.

“It really makes a difference to the quality of our music.”

Nathan Tran of Toronto performs on a 1923 Weber baby grand piano at St. George’s Anglican Church in Battleford during a Christmas 2025 concert. (submitted)

The instrument once sat on the stage of the former North Battleford Collegiate Institute, now John Paul II Collegiate. It was used for school and community functions, including music examinations – and, as Myrna Goodman wrote, it was the first grand piano her husband ever played.

Years later, after the school was sold, the piano disappeared. It was eventually found in pieces at the bottom of a stairwell, its harp and soundboard still intact.

A retired teacher and piano technician, Bill de Strake, spent two years restoring it before surprising Goodman with the gift, saying he knew it would be played and appreciated.

For years, it remained a constant presence in Goodman’s life, moving from house to house and, at one point, taking up a third of a small living room.

(Image Credit: Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

In 2010, the piano was insured for an estimated $25,000. But as interest in acoustic instruments declined, it proved difficult to sell. Instead, Goodman chose to pass it on.

At St. George’s, the piano arrived in early November. It was tuned in December, just in time for the Christmas season.

“After some TLC and a tuning in the sanctuary, it sounded marvellous in its new home,” Myrna wrote.

A holiday concert followed, featuring a visiting musician from Toronto.

“To have a piano of that age giving the quality of sound that we have, it’s just a blessing to us,” Trost said.

(Image Credit: Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

The church leadership hope the instrument will serve more than just its congregation.

“We share our church a lot with other activities in the community,” Trost said. “We hope the piano will be used by part of the community, not just part of our little congregation.”

It’s a small venue, she added, but one with strong acoustics, a space where music can carry.

The donation came with few conditions. The church covered moving costs, with support from the Goodman family and community donations, and has since set aside funds for ongoing care and tuning.

For Myrna Goodman, the outcome is simple.

“We are so pleased this great piano has its new home… it has its voice back,” she wrote.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com

by Kenneth Cheung

A century-old piano finds its voice again in a Battleford church

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