Sam Burch, director of music at Covenant Presbyterian Church, has retired after 26 years of service. His last worship service will end with the Christmas Eve service.

“His knowledge of music, choir and congregational direction has earned him great respect from the choir members and great appreciation from the church staff and congregation,” said organist Marty Alexander.

“Excellence is his by-word,” he added, “and he accomplishes much behind the scenes that no one would ever know about.”

In 2003, Burch, Alexander, and Bob Weaver, had all worked on adding pipes and blowers to the church organ. They enlarged the speaking ranks from 14 to the present 28 ranks.

Burch is a native Fayette Countian, and is the great-great-great- grandson of William Bennett, for whom the new school is named. Sam and his wife, Susan, are the seventh generation to occupy the house built by Bennett in 1840. It is located on Stonewall Avenue in Fayetteville.

On hand for the occasion was his mother, Annelle Nipper Burch, daughter, Courtney, a student at Auburn, and son, Robert and wife Carly, and their new baby, Andrew.

Covenant is located at 819 Hwy. 314, Fayetteville, For information call 770-460-9450.