Mary Sowder

Mary earned her Bachelor of Music degree on a scholarship at Virginia Commonwealth University graduating ‘With High Honors’ and including a summer of study at the Royal School of Church Music in England. She had started studying organ and received her first organist position during junior high school. Ever since then she has served in some capacity as church organist/director of music/substitute/interim/private lesson instructor, including 6 years at Southminster Presbyterian, Richmond, 13 years at St. Michael’s Episcopal, Colonial Heights, and 13 years at River Road UMC, Richmond, as well as at several churches in the Outer Banks of NC and Roanoke, VA.

In 2010, Mary married her husband, Don Sowder, where they met at River Road UMC in Richmond. After living in The Outer Banks of NC and Roanoke, VA, Don and Mary moved to Patriots Colony, Williamsburg in 2025. They look forward to making Mt. Vernon UMC their home church!