Mark Pacoe's musical talents have taken him across the world, but Friday it will bring him back to his hometown.

The 1992 Butler High School graduate will give an organ recital at 7 p.m. at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 201 W. Jefferson St., as part of the church's 200th anniversary celebration.

“It's a huge honor for me to return to my hometown to do this special recital on Butler's largest pipe organ, built by the Möller Pipe Organ Company,” said Pacoe.

“My return to St. Mark's is also very special to me since as a toddler I attended preschool at St. Mark's. My mother was also active in the Mothers of Twins Club that met at St. Mark's,” said Pacoe. His twin, Darrell, still lives in Butler.

As does his father, David Pacoe, who said his son's musical inclinations were evident.

“He was involved in music from an early, early age,” said David Pacoe. “It was always the organ even when he was little. The trumpet came later I guess for the marching band.”

David Pacoe said he thinks maybe the musical talent Mark has was a legacy from his grandfather.

“It might come from his grandfather,” said David Pacoe. “He played the saxophone years and years ago. I played it a little, but I didn't stay with it.”

“I played trumpet in elementary school,” said Mark Pacoe. “And ever since I started playing piano in the fifth and sixth grade, that's when I really became interested. It was probably around 16 that I knew I wanted to make this a lifelong career path.”

He holds a bachelor's degree in music from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, a master's degree in music from East Carolina University in North Carolina and did postgraduate studies at the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, N.Y.

Pacoe serves as director of music for St. Malachy's Church — The Actors' Chapel located in the heart of New York's theater district in Times Square.

“I've been at St. Malachy's almost 4½ years,” he said. “I'm the director of music, the organist, I direct the choir and do all the comprehensive planning relating to all the musical activities there. It's a full-time job.”

He has performed as a soloist and accompanist domestically and abroad.

As prize winner from the Oundle International Young Organists' Academy in Great Britain, he has performed recitals at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, Chichester Cathedral, and St. Mary's Cathedral during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

He has also performed in Sweden, China, Australia, St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City and the Cathedral of St. Patrick in New York.

“It's hard to name a favorite,” he said. “Some of the most exciting trips were when I performed at the Sydney Opera House, and that's one of the largest mechanical pipe organs in the world.

“And the trip to China was quite exotic. I got to work with an orchestra and do some solo playing in Shanghai,” he said.

His trip to Butler was the result of an old college classmate.

“Karen Krenitsky at St. Mark's is a Butler native and Duquesne classmate,” said Mark Pacoe. “I've stayed in touch with her over the years. She called last summer and talked about plans for the 200th anniversary of the church and invited me to be part of that, and that's a huge honor.”

“I thought since he had roots in Butler a lot of people would be interested in his playing,” said Krenitsky, who has been the organist at St. Mark's the past six years and met Pacoe when they were both taking piano and organ lessons at Duquesne.

“I heard him play at a summer series at St. Paul's Cathedral in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh and that sparked the idea,” Krenitsky said.

Pascoe said he would arrive in Butler on Tuesday or Wednesday so he could practice and become familiar with the instrument.

His selection of composers for the 70-minute recital, Bach and Mendelssohn and others, he said “would work well with the instrument and show a great diversity of styles and show off the organ.”

“It's rare that he finds time to get back here,” said David Pacoe, adding the last time Mark Pacoe was in town was last summer.

“I will go to the concert and probably every member of the family that's local,” said David Pacoe, including his brother, his brother's wife, Dottie, and their three sons.

“For me it's very nostalgic. I came here as a toddler and a child. It's a full circle to be coming back to St. Mark's for such an important anniversary,” said Mark Pacoe.

<B>WHAT: </B>Organ recital by Butler nativer Mark Pacoe featuring the works of Bach, Mendelssohn and others<B>WHEN: </B>7 p.m. Friday<B>WHERE: </B>St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 201 W. Jefferson St., reception to follow. A free will offering will be taken. Handicap accessible.