On October 29, 2024, MDC warmly welcomed the Davis family for a celebratory Chapel service to dedicate the gift of a grand piano, in honour of Dorothy Davis. Dorothy was a talented concert and church pianist and piano teacher. Dr. Stanley Porter shared a message about legacies of love, reflecting on the teacher-student musical lineage that came before Dorothy Davis. Deborah Park, current DPT student and seasoned concert pianist, shared her musical gifts with us by playing two pieces in dedication and celebration of this gift. Following the service, guests gathered for a reception to conclude the occasion.
In honour of the Davis family’s generous donation, we have placed a plaque outside the Chapel. It reads:
Dorothy (Elaine) Davis
1931-2023Dorothy was empathetic, witty, funny, and loved to laugh. She saw beauty all around her and devoted her life to serving God as a concert pianist, collaborator in small ensembles, choir director, organist, piano instructor, and music educator. She played the piano to minister to other, even in the final year of her life. Dr. Kenneth Davis and the Davis family have generously donated her piano to McMaster Divinity College Chapel for ongoing ministry and worship.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.”
Teacher-Student Musical Lineage:
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
Carl P. E. Bach (1714–1788)
Franz Joseph Haydn (1732–1809)
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
Carl Czerny (1791–1857)
Theodor Leschetizky (1830–1915)
Jeannette Durno (1876–1963)
Lyell Gustin (1895–1988)
Dorothy Davis (1931–2023)
To watch the recording of the Chapel service, click the link below.
Below are some photos from the event.
Davis family, including Dr. Kenneth Davis, alongside MDC President, Dr. Stanley Porter, and Director of Music and Worship, Dr. Wendy Porter
DPT student and concert pianist, church musician, Deborah Park
Worship team leads Chapel service