Dr. Lawrence P “Lon” Schreiber

Music Minister Emeritus | lschreiber@firstbaptistdc.org                                                                           

Lawrence P. “Lon” Schreiber has served as a pastoral musician in Washington, D.C., for more than sixty-two years. In an age where the average church musician tenure is three years, his long service among two congregations in sacred music is celebrated by many including The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C., National City Christian Church, the Washington, D.C. Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, the greater Washington, D.C. music community, and the hundreds of musicians Schreiber has supported and encouraged throughout the years.  

After graduating from Texas Christian University with an undergraduate degree in music and Union Theological Seminary in New York City with a Master’s degree in Church Music and Composition, Dr. Schreiber became Minister of Music at National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C. He served National City for forty years.

While at National City, Dr. Schreiber, the National City choir and soprano Leontyne Price provided music in January 1973 for the state funeral of former President Lyndon B. Johnson, who had attended services at the church on Thomas Circle. Dr. Schreiber supervised the design and installation of National City’s monumental five-manual Möller organ, a project spanning more than nine years. He initiated weekly organ recitals at the church, which continue to this day. For his contributions at National City and beyond, he was awarded a Doctorate in Music in 1981 by his undergraduate alma mater, Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.

After retiring from National City in 2000, Dr. Schreiber began a tenure as Minister of Music at The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C. His initial agreement with First Baptist was to serve in an interim capacity, but his tenure was anything but short-lived. During his twenty-two years with First Baptist, Dr. Schreiber added depth and breadth to the music and worship ministries, while continuing First Baptist’s welcome to the community through events such as the annual Candlelight Christmas Carols.  

He led the selection and acquisition of two iconic instruments for First Baptist: a nine-foot Steinway concert grand piano in 2007 and, in 2012, the five-manual 118 rank Austin organ with more than 6,000 pipes and trumpets in four chambers. Under Dr. Schreiber’s leadership, First Baptist shared the gifts of its music with the surrounding community through recitals by distinguished organists, pianists, and singers.

Throughout his career, Dr. Schreiber has composed and published anthems, hymns and organ pieces, and has been a frequent accompanist for leading singers in the Washington metropolitan area. He has distinguished himself through his service to God, his commitment to the finest quality of music in public Christian worship, his leadership in the installation of two of the finest pipe organs in D.C., and his unerring support for the guidance and education of young music professionals.  His legacy at First Baptist, National City, and the city of Washington, D.C. will be felt and celebrated for many years to come.  

Soli deo gloria.