Clair Spencer serves as an impressive pillar of the community through her role as the caretaker, guide and organist at St. Peter's Church, where she has become a highly respected fixture for the past 30 years.

Almost everybody in St. George's knows of her valuable work with St. Peter's, her musical talents and her ability to reach out and establish a rapport with people, mostly tourists.

St. Peter's the Parish Church of St. George, is the oldest Anglican church in the Western hemisphere in continual use since 1612. It was also the first court of General Assize (1616) and Bermuda's first parliament in 1620.

When asked what motivates her to work in this historical masterpiece, the vibrant 78-year-old flashed a gentle smile and responded: "I love meeting people and sharing the history of the church. I come into contact with so many visitors. Also I love music and I enjoy being the organist."

According to the Bermuda National Trust, a church was among the first buildings erected by the early settlers after their arrival in Bermuda. Within six months Governor Richard Moore built a framed church on one of the hills overlooking the town, but poor workmanship and high winds caused a collapse.

He used some of the timber to build himself a house and the remainder went to putting up "a Church of Palmetto leaves" on the site St. Peter's Church occupies today.

"My greatest satisfaction from work is meeting so many interesting people. When I am at home I enjoy relaxing with my family and their children. I have three sons and a daughter, five grands and three great-grandchildren."

Mrs. Spencer truly loves her job because as she says, "it is an extension of myself". Following the deaths of her husband and eldest son who died many years ago, the church became a great part of her life.

Musically gifted, Mrs. Spencer learned to play the piano and took formal piano lessons from the age of eight.

"Mrs. Iona Morgan was my piano teacher but a recession hit so I had to stop the lessons when I was about 12 or 13 years old. After that, I basically taught myself how to play the organ as my youngest sister, Marlene Denbrook was the church organist and was leaving.

"I assisted the next organist and she left to reside in the U.S. and I stepped into play and have been playing ever since," she said with a pleasant smile.

"When it came to using the foot pedals of the organ I am self taught. I also learned the different sounds that come from the pipe organ.

Mrs. Spencer's father, Nicholas Callabras a Bermudian of Italian descent, was very influential on her and she feels she inherited her musical talents from him. He played a circular base instrument, the mandolin, and he had a great bass voice.

"There have been many people who have helped and guided me. Reverend Robert Hyslop who served here from 1964-76 goes at the top of my list.

"He guided me through the most difficult part of my life - my husband, then my son's death.

"Rev. Hyslop was always there for me. He retired and returned to England but we kept in touch until he passed," Mrs. Spencer said.

Her future dreams are to continue to be healthy and able to carry on as she says she plans to work as long as possible. She hopes St. George's remains as it is.

"My work here is so very rewarding. You wouldn't believe the famous people that I have met: Princess Margaret, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, Princess Anne, Archbishop Dr. Coggin of Canterbury, Terry Waite, Prime Ministers, Margaret Thatcher and John Major, and most recently the Duchess of Gloucester.

Mrs. Spencer has a captivating aura of strength and kindness and has received numerous awards through the years such as the VIP Award in 2001, the Corporation Award was bestowed on her by former mayor, Lois Perinchief in 2000.

In 1980 she was voted one of the Outstanding Christian Woman of the Year from the AME church.

Another year the East End School acknowledged her for her contribution to tourism and the greatest honour of all was in 1991 when she received the Queens Certificate and Badge of Honour.