Organ Projects

Part 6: Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church

Stephen Schnurr

Stephen Schnurr, a resident of Gary, Indiana, is editorial director and publisher of The Diapason, director of music for Saint Paul Catholic Church, Valparaiso, Indiana, and adjunct instructor of organ for Valparaiso University. His most recent book, Organs of Oberlin, was published in 2013 by Chauncey Park Press. He has authored several other books and numerous journal articles, principally on pipe organ history in the Great Lakes region.

Part 6: Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church

This article is a continuation of a series in the August 2015, June 2016, July 2017, February 2018, and June 2018 issues of The Diapason. The information was delivered as a lecture for the Midwinter Pipe Organ Conclave on January 19, 2015, in La Grange, Illinois. The research for this project provides a history of a number of pipe organs in the village, but not all. For instance, organs in residences and theaters are not surveyed.

The mother church of Catholic parishes in La Grange, Saint Francis Xavier, was founded in 1890. The first Mass was said on All Saints’ Day, November 1. Franklin Dwight Cossitt, the real estate developer who founded La Grange, donated property for the new congregation. A frame Gothic church, designed by Chicago architect Alphonse Druiding, was built at a cost of $10,000. The church was dedicated on September 5, 1892.

The cornerstone of the present church was laid on June 1, 1930. Dedication of this edifice in the Italian Renaissance style of Bedford stone and designed by Joe W. McCarthy of Chicago occurred on June 14, 1931. Italian marble was used for the altars, pulpit, altar railing, and sanctuary flooring. The mosaic Stations of the Cross were crafted in Venice. The cost of the building was $400,000, and a considerable debt was carried by the congregation. In 1936, the debt still stood at $350,000, finally paid in 1946.

Geo. Kilgen & Son of Saint Louis, Missouri, supplied its Opus 4524 for the new church, a three-manual, fifteen-rank, electro-pneumatic-action organ installed in chambers above the loft at the rear of the nave. The stop-tongue console was situated in the center of the gallery.

1930 Geo. Kilgen & Sons Opus 4524

GREAT (Manual II, enclosed with Choir)

16′ Contra Gamba 73 pipes

8′ Open Diapason 61 pipes

8′ Melodia 97 pipes

8′ Doppel Flute 73 pipes

8′ Gamba (ext 16′ Contra Gamba)

8′ Dulciana 85 pipes

4′ Octave 61 pipes

4′ Flute (ext 8′ Melodia)

8′ Tuba Harmonic 61 pipes

Chimes

Great to Great 16

Great Unison Off

Great to Great 4

Swell to Great 16

Swell to Great 8

Swell to Great 4

Choir to Great 16

Choir to Great 8

Choir to Great 4

SWELL (Manual III, enclosed)

16′ Bourdon 97 pipes

8′ Violin Diapason 73 pipes

8′ Stopped Diapason (ext 16′ Bourdon)

8′ Quintadena (synthetic, 16′ Bourdon at 8′ and 2-2⁄3′ pitches)

8′ Salicional 85 pipes

8′ Voix Celeste 73 pipes

4′ Flute d’Amour (ext 16′ Bourdon)

4′ Salicet (ext 8′ Salicional)

2′ Flautino (ext 16′ Bourdon)

8′ Cornopean 73 pipes

8′ Vox Humana 73 pipes

Tremolo

Harp (prepared)

Swell to Swell 16

Swell Unison Off

Swell to Swell 4

CHOIR (Manual I, enclosed with Great)

16′ Dulciana (ext Gt 8′ Dulciana)

8′ Violoncello (fr Gt 8′ Gamba)

8′ Melodia (fr Gt 8′ Melodia)

8′ Dolce (fr Gt 8′ Dulciana)

4′ Flute (fr Gt 8′ Melodia)

4′ Dulcet (ext Gt 8′ Dulciana)

2′ Piccolo (ext Gt 8′ Melodia)

8′ Clarinet (61 pipes)

8′ Orchestral Oboe (synthetic)

Tremolo

Choir to Choir 16 

Choir Unison Off

Choir to Choir 4

Swell to Choir 8

PEDAL

32′ Resultant (16′ Subbass with 16′ Bourdon at 10-2⁄3′ pitch)

16′ Subbass 32 pipes

16′ Bourdon (ext Gt 8′ Doppel Flute)

16′ Lieblich Gedeckt (fr Sw 16′ Bdn)

8′ Cello (fr Gt 8′ Gamba)

8′ Flauto Dolce (fr Sw 16′ Bourdon)

Great to Pedal 8

Swell to Pedal 8

Choir to Pedal 8

ACCESSORIES

4 General pistons (thumb, above Manual III)

4 Great and Pedal pistons (thumb)

4 Swell and Pedal pistons (thumb)

4 Choir and Pedal pistons (thumb)

Great to Pedal reversible (toe)

Balanced Swell expression shoe

Balanced Great and Choir expression shoe

Balanced Crescendo shoe (indicator light)

Sforzando reversible (toe, indicator light)

Wind and Current indicator light

 

This instrument was replaced in 2003 by a new organ from the Berghaus Organ Company of Bellwood, Illinois.  The two-manual instrument is housed in a free-standing case in the gallery. Key action is electric-slider; stop action is electro-pneumatic. Manual key coverings are bone for naturals, ebony for sharps; pedal coverings are maple for naturals, rosewood for sharps.

2003 Berghaus Organ Company Opus 215

GREAT (Manual I)

16′ Bourdon (61 pipes) 61 pipes

8′ Principal (façade, 75% tin) 61 pipes

8′ Gamba 61 pipes

8′ Rohrflöte 61 pipes

4′ Octave 61 pipes

4′ Koppelflöte 61 pipes

2-2⁄3′ Quinte 61 pipes

2′ Octave 61 pipes

1-3⁄5′ Tierce 61 pipes

IV Mixture (draws 2′ Octave) 183 pipes

8′ Trompette 61 pipes

16′ Trompette Royale (TC, prepared)

8′ Trompette Royale (fr 16′ Trompette)

Tremulant

Swell to Great 16

Swell to Great 8

Swell to Great 4

Chimes (Deagan, Class M) 21 tubes

Zimbelstern

MIDI

SWELL (Manual II, enclosed)

8′ Metal Gedackt 61 pipes

8′ Salicional 61 pipes

8′ Voix Céleste (TC) 49 pipes

4′ Principal 61 pipes

4′ Waldflöte 61 pipes

2′ Hohlflöte 61 pipes

1-1⁄3′ Larigot 61 pipes

IV Scharff 244 pipes

16′ Dulzian 61 pipes

8′ Hautbois 61 pipes

16′ Trompette Royale (fr Gt 16′ Tromp)

8′ Trompette Royale (fr Gt 16′ Tromp)

Tremulant

Swell to Swell 16

Swell Unison Off

Swell to Swell 4

MIDI

PEDAL

16′ Principal 32 pipes

16′ Subbass 32 pipes

8′ Octave (in façade, 75% tin) 32 pipes

8′ Gemshorn 32 pipes

4′ Octave 32 pipes

III Rauschpfeife (added 2019) 96 pipes

16′ Bombarde 32 pipes

4′ Clarion (added 2019) 32 pipes

8′ Trompette Royale (fr Gt 16′ Tromp)

4′ Trompette Royale (fr Gt 16′ Tromp)

Great to Pedal 8

Swell to Pedal 8

Swell to Pedal 4

MIDI

ACCESSORIES

8 General pistons (thumb and toe)

6 Great pistons (thumb)

6 Swell pistons (thumb)

6 Pedal pistons (toe)

General Cancel (thumb)

Combination Set (thumb)

Great to Pedal reversible (thumb and toe)

Swell to Pedal reversible (thumb and toe)

Swell to Great reversible (thumb)

Zimbelstern reversible (thumb and toe)

8′ Trompette Royale (Gt) reversible (thumb)

Balanced Swell expression shoe

Balanced Trompette Royale expression shoe

Balanced Crescendo shoe (indicator light)

Tutti reversible (thumb and toe, indicator light)

Wind indicator light

Photo caption: 2003 Berghaus Organ Company Opus 215

Roger Banks,

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Reuter Organ Company,

Lawrence, Kansas

First Presbyterian Church,

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

From Roger Banks

I first heard the M. P. Möller organ at First Presbyterian Church shortly after its installation in 1964. At that time, I was a senior at Oklahoma City University nearby. As one of the newest and largest organs in the Oklahoma City area, it should have been wonderful. After all, the specification indicated that it followed the latest trends in organbuilding and design at the time, yet I remember that, in that cavernous building, the result was much less
than satisfying.

In the intervening time between then and now, I have fully transitioned from the spare but well-intentioned organ sounds of the 1960s and 1970s, through the 1980s and 1990s, to arrive at my current tonal philosophy, which favors broader scales and divisions featuring rich fundamental tone. Thus I was delighted when John Edwards entrusted me with the care of the instrument at First Presbyterian.

The first project we undertook was to replace the failing Swell division expression pneumatics. That opened up the shade front to fully allow the sound to enter the chancel area rather than bounce off the ceiling. The improvement was immediate and quite noticeable. In 1994, the previous technician installed a new console. However, this large console appeared to have more prepared drawknobs than actual stops. I suggested that John Edwards consider not only completing the console preparations, but also replacing and/or rescaling most of the Great principal chorus as well as adding foundation stops to the other divisions. We decided to make it a two-year project to better utilize the available funding source.

It did not take long for us to realize that rescaling the existing Great 8′ Principal was hopeless. The lowest fourteen pipes were in the façade, scale 46, and nearly forced double length by the façade design. The 4′ Octave rescaled nicely, but the 2′ Weit Prinzipal as well as the IV- and III-rank mixtures were not be able to be reused. The new principal chorus that was added now has a substantial 8′ Principal and upper work to match. We also added a new Twelfth and Seventeenth to fill out the chorus. The existing Koppel Flöte was adequate, but the 8′ Nason Gedeckt and 8′ Quintadena were too similar, so I moved the Nason Gedeckt to the Quintadena chest and added a new, larger-scaled 8′ Bourdon. The 16′ Dulzian was moved to a new unit chest, and I added a new large-scale 8′ Flûte Harmonique. The Flûte Harmonique pipes were then voiced to be commanding as a solo stop in the treble, yet work well in the ensemble.

The Swell division only needed the addition of a new 8′ Diapason of adequate scale. Every other need in that division was addressed during the tonal finishing that was done later.

The Positiv division was next on the list. It was typical of the period, yet still an effective division. I moved the 8′ Geigen from the Choir to a new unit chest above the Great in order to provide some foundation at 8′ and 4′ pitches. As a result, we also discovered that it makes an impressive 16′ Double on the Great. The existing 11⁄3′ was of flute tone, so I replaced it with pipes from the old Great IV Mixture. The remaining issues again were done during the final tonal work.

The Choir division was an interesting challenge. It was originally designed as the enclosed division to partner with the Positiv. After the 1994 revision, the Choir was left on its own. It had the 8′ Geigen, a hybrid 4′ Gemshorn/Principal, a pair of Erzählers, a large 8′ Clarinet, and a 4′ Hautbois. It was not a lot to work with.

By the time we addressed the Choir, work on the other divisions had rapidly depleted funding for the project. Fortuitously, the church had several vintage ranks in storage from a donated Kimball, and I had several nice stops remaining from various earlier projects. For example, I had a lovely 8′ Reuter Spitz Principal that we installed on the now vacant 8′ Geigen chest. The church had a wonderful 8′ open wood Kimball Claribel Flute that was installed where the 8′ Krummhorn had been. I had a new chest built to hold a pretty 4′ Möller Flute d’Amour and III–IV Mixture, and Reuter built the bottom octave for the Hautbois to make it an 8′. We also added a lovely set of Kimball 8′ strings which reside in the enclosed Bombarde division that sits atop the choir. To increase versatility, there is now a knob that allows the Choir expression to operate the Bombarde expression when the strings are used on the Choir. Tonal finishing did wonders to tie together all the disparate pipework in the Choir. The division now has purpose and adds a great deal of color to the entire ensemble.

The Bombarde division also received a vintage 4′ Harmonic Flute. It adds color to the 8′ English Horn and sneaks in as a filler with the strings.

The Pedal division had the fewest needs, though we did add a larger scale 8′ Diapason to augment the existing 8′ Principal. This gave the Pedal a better 8′ line. The remaining work was done in the tonal finishing phase.

I cannot thank JR Neutel from Reuter enough for the marvelous job he did during the tonal finishing phase. I have worked with him on many instruments in the last twenty years. He has limitless energy coupled with complete mastery of dealing with pipework that appears to be hopeless. We spent over three weeks going through every pipe in the organ. The completed organ now has the weight to carry the length of the nave, but it is still nimble enough to play the lightest literature. I would also like the thank G. Mark Caldwell, Marty Larsen, Tom Birkett, and John Riester for their assistance in making the completed instrument possible.

—Roger Banks

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

 

From Reuter Organ Company

This project is unique in that it was not conceived in the typical relationship that many equate with a “main-line builder” and the “sales representative.” In this case, Roger Banks called upon us to consult with him—a partnership of equals. Together we discussed numerous ideas of how to tonally enhance the organ, culminating with all of the specific details needed to complete this tonal enhancement, including final pipe scales and wind pressures to achieve the objective. Reuter was then given the opportunity to provide the new pipes and chests that Roger needed. Reuter has been fortunate to develop similar relationships with other affiliates over the past decade.

While Roger has had a fifty-plus year relationship with Reuter, he and I began working together on numerous installations, most notably back to 2001, when he first assisted me with the voicing of our flagship instrument at Saint John’s Cathedral in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I was honored when Roger asked me to take the lead on the revoicing of the organ at First Presbyterian Church. I also thank John Edwards for his confidence and support. With an instrument of this size the undertaking was daunting. Roger’s ability to “massage” new sounds out of old pipes as well as working with new pipes is second to none. With our combined abilities and weeks of on-site voicing time, the desired results were achieved.

This “new” organ at First Presbyterian, along with two other recently completed organ renovations in Oklahoma City (Christ the King Catholic Church and Oklahoma City University), and a soon to be completed project at Westminster Presbyterian Church, are the culmination of a rewarding partnership and friendship with Roger. We applaud Roger and his successful career as one of the central state’s leading organ specialists and extend our deep appreciation for his leadership on this project. The renewed organ stands as a landmark instrument in the area!

—JR Neutel

Reuter Organ Company

 

From John L. Edwards

Standing for over half a century on its northwest Oklahoma City site, the fourth house of worship of First Presbyterian Church is a grand Gothic structure of Tennessee limestone. In addition to its impressive stained glass windows, the building boasts four pipe organs: chapel (1956 Austin, two manuals, fifteen ranks); Watchorn Hall (1956 M. P. Möller, two manuals, four ranks); choir room (1965 Walcker, two manuals, eleven ranks); and sanctuary (1964 M. P. Möller, four manuals, seventy-one ranks; 2016 Banks-Reuter, four manuals, nintety-one ranks). The “4X4 Organ Concert” is unique and very popular to the Oklahoma City community, four organists playing four pipe organs moving from venue to venue.

From its 1889 beginnings, the church has regarded music as a primary form of worship and, to that end, has had many well-known church musicians leading that endeavor. John S. C. Kemp served as minister of music from 1949 to 1968 with encore service from 1983 to 1986. During these periods of service, his wife, Helen developed her expansive work with children as well as her soaring soprano voice. In their honor, the church now has a free concert series named for them. John Blackwell followed the Kemps’ first term of service. Organists have included Wilma Jensen and Samuel C. Hutchison. Several others served shorter terms or as music interns for a year of their undergraduate studies. Those include Elaine Warner Chard, Louise Bass, Dorothy Kosanke-Elder, Greg Funfgeld, Eric Howe, Mark Lawlor, and Glenn A. Miller, among others.

While meeting for Sunday worship in Watchorn Hall until completion of the sanctuary in 1964, an organ committee chaired by DeWitt B. Kirk and then-organist Gale Norman Enger chose the M. P. Möller Organ Co. of Hagerstown, Maryland, to build the new instrument for the 1,400-seat sanctuary. Completed in 1964, Opus 9862 had four manuals with seventy ranks in the chancel and one “En Chamade” rank at the rear of the church. Wilma Jensen oversaw
the installation.

In 1992 a decision was made to purchase a new console and solid-state operating system, with preparations for future additions. The console plus four ranks were added in 1994. Organ committee chair, Dargan Mayberry, organist John L. Edwards, and director of music Michael W. Yeager, along with consultants John Balka, Fred Haley, Jon Olin Roberts, Frederick Swann, and Laura van der Windt worked together with the McCrary Pipe Organ Service of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to complete this project.

By 2014 the pneumatics to the Swell expression shades had failed. It was decided to replace them with new electric motors for the operation that also allowed for expanded opening of the louvers. This improvement then led to the discussion of revoicing existing ranks and adding ranks of pipes to better facilitate the lack of fundamental tone experienced in the nave of the church. Roger A. Banks, current curator of the instruments at First Presbyterian Church, in conjunction with JR Neutel of the Reuter Organ Company, presented a plan for rescaling certain pipes, adding new pipework, and relocating several stops to alternate divisions. Additionally, some vintage pipework was available and incorporated into the instrument, notably from organs made by W. W. Kimball, Estey, M. P. Möller, Reuter, McManis, and even a Robert Morton Clarinet. The Hooded Tuba was sent to Reuter to be revoiced for a more commanding and appropriate Tuba quality. All in all, sixteen ranks were added in 2016, and the organ became an instrument of ninety-one ranks with 5,269 pipes. I was honored to present an inaugural recital on May 1, 2016, which also marked my twenty-fifth anniversary on staff at First Presbyterian Church.

Working closely with Roger Banks has been a highlight for me and for our church. He has become family to us. His knowledge and expertise are unsurpassed! Roger and JR Neutel, president of the Reuter Pipe Organ Company, went through every single pipe of the instrument, critically listening and voicing each to give the best and necessary response to the cavernous space of the sanctuary. The finished result is a warm and rich singing sound extending into the nave, especially noticed by stronger congregational singing.

­—John L. Edwards, organist

First Presbyterian Church

Photo credit: Kathy Rangel, except where noted

 

GREAT (Manual II)  

16′ Geigen (ext 8′, 1–12 electronic)

16′ Quintadena 73 pipes

16′ Claribel Flute (Ch)

8′ Principal 61 pipes

8′ Geigen  73 pipes

8′ Flûte Harmonique 61 pipes

8′ Bourdon 61 pipes

8′ Quintade (ext)

51⁄3′ Quint (TC, fr 22⁄3′)

4′ Octave 61 pipes

4′ Koppelflöte 61 pipes

31⁄5′ Grossterz (TC, fr 13⁄5′)

22⁄3′ Twelfth 61 pipes

2′ Fifteenth 61 pipes

2′ Flageolet 61 pipes

13⁄5′ Seventeenth 61 pipes

IV Fourniture 11⁄3′ 244 pipes

III Scharf 1′ 183 pipes

16′ Dulzian 73 pipes

8′ Bombarde (Ped)

8′ Dulzian (ext)

Tremolo

Great to Great 16

Great Unison Off

Great to Great 4

Chimes (G2 – G4, volume 0–5)

Carillon

SWELL (Manual III, expressive)

16′ Rohrbass 73 pipes

8′ Diapason 73 pipes

8′ Viola Pomposa 61 pipes

8′ Viola Céleste 61 pipes

8′ Rohrflöte (ext)

8′ Flûte Céleste II 110 pipes

4′ Octave Diapason (ext)

4′ Praestant 61 pipes

4′ Flûte Harmonique 61 pipes

22⁄3′ Nazard 61 pipes

2′ Flachflöte 61 pipes

13⁄5′ Tierce 61 pipes

IV Plein Jeu 11⁄3′ 244 pipes

III Cymbal 1′ 183 pipes

32′ Contra Fagotto (TC, fr 16′)

16′ Fagotto 73 pipes

8′ Trompette 61 pipes

8′ Fagotto Oboe (ext)

8′ Vox Humana 61 pipes

4′ Clairon 61 pipes

Tremolo

Swell to Swell 16

Swell Unison Off

Swell to Swell 4

CHOIR (Manual I, expressive)

16′ Erzähler 73 pipes

8′ Spitz Principal 61 pipes

8′ Salicional (Bomb)

8′ Voix Céleste (Bomb)

8′ Erzähler (ext)

8′ Erzähler Céleste (TC) 49 pipes

8′ Claribel Flute 85 pipes    

4′ Gemshorn Principal 61 pipes

4′ Flauto d’Amore 61 pipes

2′ Claribel Fife (ext)

III–IV Mixture 2′ 190 pipes

8′ Clarinet 61 pipes

8′ Cromorne (Pos)

8′ Hautbois 61 pipes

Tremolo

Choir to Choir 16

Choir Unison Off

Choir to Choir 4

POSITIV (floating)

16′ Quintadena (Gt)

16′ Claribel Flute (Ch)

8′ Geigen (Gt)

8′ Holz Bordun 61 pipes

4′ Geigen (Gt)

4′ Rohrflöte 61 pipes

22⁄3′ Nazat 61 pipes

2′ Prinzipal 61 pipes

13⁄5′ Terz (GG) 54 pipes

11⁄3′ Quinte 61 pipes

1′ Sifflöte 61 pipes

III Zymbel 1⁄4′ 183 pipes

16′ Dulzian (Gt)

8′ Cromorne 61 pipes

4′ Rohr Schalmei 61 pipes

Tremolo

BOMBARDE (Manual IV, expressive)

8′ Salicional Céleste II 122 pipes

8′ Orchestral Flute (TC, fr 4′)

4′ Salicet Céleste II (ext)

4′ Orchestral Flute 61 pipes

4′ Claribel Flute (Ch)

IV Harmonics 13⁄5′ 244 pipes

16′ Bombarde (TC, fr 8′)

8′ Bombarde 61 pipes

8′ Clarinet (Ch)

8′ Dulzian (Gt)

8′ English Horn 61 pipes

4′ Clairon 61 pipes

Tremolo

8′ Hooded Tuba (unenclosed) 73 pipes

4′ Tuba Clarion (ext)

Bombarde to Bombarde 16

Bombarde Unison Off

Bombarde to Bombarde 4

Chimes

HÉROÏQUE (floating, en chamade)

16′ Trompette Héroïque (TC, fr 8′)

8′ Trompette Héroïque 61 pipes

4′ Trompette Héroïque (ext)

PEDAL

64′ Gravissima (Bourdon resultant)

32′ Violone (electronic)

32′ Contre Bourdon 44 pipes

16′ Principal 32 pipes

16′ Geigen (Gt)

16′ Subbass (ext)

16′ Quintadena (Gt)

16′ Rohrbass (Sw)

16′ Erzähler (Ch)

102⁄3′ Bourdon Sub Quint (ext)

8′ Diapason 32 pipes

8′ Octave 44 pipes

8′ Geigen (Gt)

8′ Flûte Harmonique (Gt)

8′ Rohr Pommer 32 pipes

8′ Quintade (Gt)

8′ Rohrflöte (Sw)

8′ Erzähler (Ch)

51⁄3′ Bourdon Quint (ext)

4′ Choralbass (ext)

4′ Geigen (Gt)

4′ Nachthorn 44 pipes

2′ Geigen (Gt)

2′ Nachthorn (ext)

III Cornet 51⁄3′ 96 pipes

IV Rauschbass 21⁄3′ 128 pipes

32′ Contre Bombarde 85 pipes

16′ Bombarde (ext)

16′ Fagotto (Sw)

16′ Dulzian (Gt)

8′ Hooded Tuba (Bomb)

8′ Bombarde (ext)

8′ Fagotto (Sw)

8′ Dulzian (Gt)

4′ Clairon (ext)

4′ Fagotto Oboe (Sw)

4′ Rohr Schalmei (Pos)

4′ Cromorne (Pos)

2′ Clairon Doublette (ext)

2′ Rohr Schalmei (Pos)

Chimes

Carillon

Pedal Unison Off

Pedal to Pedal 4

BELLS

Glockenstern = a) Handbells; b) India Bells (a, b, or a & b)

Zimbelstern = fast/slow

COUPLERS

Great to Pedal 8, 4

Swell to Pedal 8, 4

Choir to Pedal 8, 4

Bombarde to Pedal 8, 4

Positiv to Pedal 8, 4

Héroïque to Pedal (drawknob)

Pedal Continuo to Great 8

Swell to Great 16, 8, 4

Choir to Great 16, 8, 4

Bombarde to Great 16, 8, 4

Positiv to Great 16, 8, 4

Héroïque to Great (drawknob)

Swell to Choir 16, 8, 4

Bombarde to Choir 16, 8, 4

Positiv to Choir 16, 8, 4

Héroïque to Choir (drawknob)

Choir to Swell 16, 8, 4

Bombarde to Swell 16, 8, 4

Positiv to Swell 16, 8, 4

Héroïque to Swell (drawknob)

Great to Bombarde 16, 8, 4

Positiv to Bombarde 16, 8, 4

Héroïque to Bombarde (drawknob)

REVERSIBLES

Great to Pedal (thumb and toe)

Swell to Pedal (thumb and toe)

Choir to Pedal (thumb and toe)

Bombarde to Pedal (thumb)

Positiv to Pedal (toe)

Tutti (thumb and toe)

Glockenstern (toe)

Zimbelstern  (toe)

32′ Contre Bourdon (toe)

32′ Violone (toe)   

32′ Contre Bombarde (toe)

COMBINATIONS (99 memory levels)

Generals: 1–10 (thumb and toe)

Generals: 11–20 (toe)

Great: 1–8 (thumb)

Swell: 1–8 (thumb)

Choir: 1–8 (thumb)

Positiv: 1–3 (thumb)

Bombarde: 1–5 (thumb)

Pedal: 1–3 (toe); 4–8 (thumb)

Combination Setter Button (thumb)

General Cancel (thumb)

ACCESSORIES

Drawknob console (movable)   

Swell/Choir/Bombarde expression pedals

Crescendo pedal (four crescendo sequences)

Tutti (programmable)

All Swells to Swell

Bombarde to Choir Expression (drawknob)

Tuba Non-Coupling On/Off (drawknob)

Great/Choir Transfer

Peterson Operating System and Piston Sequencer

Next/Previous Pistons (thumb and toe)

Héroïque Power On/Off (toggle switch)

Adjustable Bench, in memory of Wanda L. Bass

4 manuals, 91 ranks

M. P. Möller Opus 9862, 1964, 4 manuals, 71 ranks; 1994, new console, 4 manuals, 75 ranks; 2016, tonal revisions/additions by Roger A. Banks and Reuter Organ Co. Tonal finishing by Roger A. Banks and JR Neutel, president, Reuter Organ Co.

Great 1,195 pipes

Swell 1,366 pipes

Choir 702 pipes

Positiv 725 pipes

Bombarde 683 pipes

Heroïque 61 pipes

Pedal 537 pipes

Total: 5,269 pipes

Church website: https://fpcokc.org.

Scott Smith Pipe Organs, Lansing, Michigan

Grace Lutheran Church, Auburn, Michigan

Auburn is a modest-sized city of just over 2,000 in the Great Lakes Bay Region of Michigan, nearly equidistant from Midland to the west, Bay City to the east, and slightly farther from Saginaw to the south. As a result, the churches in this region draw members from a rather diverse culture, comprising everything from chemical engineering to manufacturing to agriculture.

Around 1980, a local builder moved a small, two-manual Wicks organ into Grace Lutheran from a church in Maple Heights, Ohio, replacing an electronic substitute. In 1986, the church expanded in size, and the organ was moved to the rear of the sanctuary and enlarged to fifteen ranks.

The instrument came to us as a new service account a few years ago. Almost immediately, Nathan Beethe, the church’s music director, initiated what was to become an ongoing discussion about the condition of the organ, its built-in constraints, and some changes he would like to see. Chronic dead notes and ciphers were only the beginning. The organ’s overall character was harsh and loud, posing constant challenges in registration choices, particularly for offertories and choir accompaniment. Perhaps the most annoying issue for organists was the failing console and the limitations posed by its 56-note manual compass controlling 61-note chests.

Soon, the church underwent a facility-wide upgrade, and the organ became an integral part of that overall improvement. The first thing we asked the church to do was to beef up the back wall of the chamber, as the 16′ Subbass was sorely lacking in projected power into the sanctuary. Its bass sound waves were being transmitted through a single layer of gypsum board to the chapel behind. The vibration of the 16′ Subbass vigorously shook the chapel’s shared back wall on the other side of the studs. An additional layer of gypsum board had a dramatic effect of focusing the bass tones, and the Subbass could be heard and felt for the first time in the surprisingly good acoustic of the sanctuary.

Joe Granger of our team worked with Organ Supply Industries on the design of a new console, which offers two 61-note manuals and an exterior cabinet of red oak in a diagonal shiplap design that matches the cabinetry of the organ casework. The elegant new console features drawknobs instead of the tongue tabs on the old unit. Joe collaborated with Kantor Beethe to develop the new specification.

In our opinion, a fifteen-rank organ did not require three 2′ stops, so the Swell 2′ Principal was replaced by a 100-year-old Austin 4′ Harmonic Flute. Its positioning near the Swell opening helps to enhance the delicate spray of harmonics from this beautiful stop that sounds surprisingly at home in the instrument.

The Swell 16′ Trumpet was judged to be too harsh and too thin to adequately cap the rest of the organ in big ensembles and did not work well as a solo stop. Limited by space and therefore unable to install a larger-scaled reed, we handed the work of transforming the stop over to Oyster Pipeworks of Louisville, Ohio. They successfully merged portions of the existing rank with another to create one whose overall character now possesses tones that are darker, warmer, and more pleasing in both ensemble and solo work.

As it stood, we felt that the Great III Mixture (11⁄3′) spoke an octave too high. Through the magic of computer programming, the rank was repitched an octave lower, but still remains available at the original pitch for those occasions when the extra “spice” is desired without the aid of an octave coupler.

The Great 8′ Rohr Schalmei was of limited usage and was replaced with a vintage 8′ Clarinet, believed to have been made by Hook & Hastings. 

To make this modest-sized organ as versatile as possible, we made extensive use of the Swell 8′ Viole, which is now also available as a three-rank derived Swell III Mixture (2′, breaking), Swell 11⁄3′ Larigot, and Great Grave Mixture II (2′ and 22⁄3′, non-breaking). This medium-scale, rather generic string was nearly perfect as it stood to provide the basis for these faux stops, in addition to its normal duty as the Swell Viole.

In the 1986 expansion, the low twelve Pedal 16′ Subbass pipes were extended upward for the next twenty notes with chunky zinc/spotted metal pipes, which were never very effective, nor did they match well. These were replaced with wood pipes, merging two vintage Estey sets, and rescaled to match the Wicks Subbass. The end result now brings warmth and power to the entire compass of the organ’s bass. Combining these two nearly identical sets also allowed us to slow down the halving ratio in the treble portion of its compass.

Today, the instrument’s ensemble is warmer, darker and fuller than before, without sacrificing a great deal of its brilliance. The reworked swell mechanism now provides greater and more subtle dynamic control, and the revised stoplist offers a more diverse palette of options for the organist. A Peterson ICS-4000 organ control system was chosen for the relay and multi-level combination action.

We acknowledge Richard Swanson of R. T. Swanson, Inc., who initially consulted on and assisted with installation of the first two incarnations of this instrument, and freely shared his file and drawings with us.

—Joe Granger, Scott Smith; Scott Smith Pipe Organs, Lansing, Michigan

Photos by Joe Granger

GREAT (Manual I)

16′ Bourdon Doux (Sw 16′ Bourdon)

8′ Diapason 61 pipes

8′ Bourdon 73 pipes

8′ Viole (Sw 8′ Viole)

8′ Viole Celeste (TC) (Sw 8′ Viole Cel)

4′ Octave 61 pipes

4′ Flute (ext 8′ Bourdon)

2′ Principal Conique 61 pipes

III Mixture (22⁄3′) 183 pipes

III Cymbale (11⁄3′) (fr III Mixture)

II Grave Mixture (fr Sw 8′ Viole)

16′ Contre Trompette (Sw 16′ C Trom)

8′ Trompette (Sw 16′ Contre Tromp)

8′ Clarinet 61 pipes

Chimes 21 tubes

Great 16

Great Unison Off

Great 4

Zimbelstern

SWELL (Manual II, enclosed)

16′ Bourdon 97 pipes

8′ Bourdon (ext 16′ Bourdon)

8′ Flute Conique (1–12 fr 16′ Bour,, 13–61 fr 4′ Flute Conique)

8′ Viole 85 pipes

8′ Viole Celeste (TC) 49 pipes

4′ Flute Harmonique 61 pipes

4′ Flute Conique 61 pipes

4′ Viole (ext 8′ Viole)

2-2⁄3′ Nasard (ext 16′ Bourdon)

2′ Flute (ext 16′ Bourdon)

1-3⁄5′ Tierce (fr 16′ Bourdon)

1-1⁄3′ Larigot (fr 8′ Viole)

III Plein Jeu (2′)(fr 8′ Viole)

16′ Contre Trompette 85 pipes

8′ Trompette (ext 16′ Contre Tromp)

4′ Clarion (ext 16′ Contre Tromp)

Swell 16

Swell Unison Off

Swell 4

Tremolo

PEDAL

32′ Resultant (16′ Soubasse, 10-2⁄3′ Bdn)

16′ Soubasse 44 pipes

16′ Bourdon (Sw 16′ Bourdon)

8′ Flute (ext 16′ Soubasse)

8′ Bourdon (Sw 16′ Bourdon)

8′ Diapason (Gt 8′ Diapason)

4′ Flute (Sw 16′ Bourdon)

4′ Octave (Gt 4′ Octave)

16′ Contre Trompette (Sw 16′ C Trom)

8′ Trompette (Sw 16′ Contre Tromp)

COUPLERS

Great to Pedal 8

Great to Pedal 4

Swell to Pedal 8

Swell to Pedal 4

Swell to Great 16

Swell to Great 8

Swell to Great 4

ACCESSORIES

10 General pistons (thumb and toe)

5 Great pistons (thumb)

5 Swell pistons (thumb)

3 Pedal pistons (toe)

General Cancel (thumb)

Setter (thumb) 

Great to Pedal reversible (thumb and toe)

Swell to Pedal reversible (thumb and toe)

Swell to Great reversible (thumb and toe)

Sforzando (thumb and toe)

Combination level, up or down (thumb)

Transposer (up/down, thumb)

Fabry, Inc., Antioch, Illinois

Saint Laurence Catholic Church, Elgin, Illinois

The original twelve-rank organ by H. A. Howell Pipe Organs of Dixon, Illinois, was installed in the First Presbyterian Church in Oregon, Illinois. The church was sold to Al and Jill Millhouse and Bill McKay, who repurposed the building as a daycare facility. There was no need for the organ, and the owners decided to donate this instrument to Saint Laurence Catholic Church in Elgin, Illinois.

Fabry, Inc., was contracted to remove the instrument in 2021 and stored it at its factory in Antioch, Illinois, until there was time to undertake the rebuilding of the organ. Immediately after January 1, 2022, the instrument was brought into our shop facility to be re-engineered and to have a Peterson ICS-4000 control system installed. At that time the Elgin church elected to purchase two used ranks from our inventory to enhance the present specification: a 4′ Spitz Principal for the Swell division and a 22⁄3′ Twelfth for the Great division with two new chests constructed by Fabry, thus bringing the instrument to fourteen ranks.

The original installation in Oregon placed the instrument in a chamber with seventeen principal pipes exposed in the façade. Because our installation would have the organ sitting in the balcony it required us to furnish and install new casework and a swell enclosure. David G. Fabry designed, built, and installed the casework with the exposed pipes.

The dedication concert was played by Stephanie Gurga on June 26, 2022. Fabry, Inc., would like to thank Father Andrew Mulcahey, pastor, and Mrs. Kim Bianchi, director of music ministry at Saint Laurence Catholic Church, for their help, support, and cooperation during this project. A special thank you goes to Al and Jill Millhouse and Bill McKay for their generous gift to Saint Laurence.

—Fabry, Inc., Pipe Organ Builders
Antioch, Illinois

GREAT (Manual I, unenclosed)

8′ Principal 61 pipes

8′ Hohl Floete (1–12 fr Sw 8′ Ged, 13–61 from Sw 4′)

8′ Gemshorn (Sw)

8′ Gemshorn Celeste (TC, Sw)

4′ Octave 61 pipes

4′ Gemshorn (fr Sw 8′)

2-2⁄3′ Twelfth 61 pipes

2′ Principal (ext 8′) 24 pipes

II Mixture 122 pipes

8′ Trompete (Sw)

Chimes 21 tubes

Great 4

Swell to Great 16

Swell to Great 8

Swell to Great 4

Pedal to Great

SWELL (Manual II, enclosed)

8′ Gedeckt 61 pipes

8′ Gemshorn 61 pipes

8′ Gemshorn Celeste (TC) 49 pipes

4′ Spitz Principal 61 pipes

4′ Hohl Floete 61 pipes

2-2⁄3′ Nasat (TC) 49 pipes

2′ Gemshorn (ext 8′) 24 pipes

1-3⁄5′ Terz (TC) 37 pipes (top octave repeats)

1′ Siffloete (fr 8′ Gemshorn, top octave repeats)

8′ Trompette 61 pipes

8′ Regal (prepared)

Tremolo

Swell 16

Swell Unison Off

Swell 4

PEDAL (unenclosed and enclosed)

32′ Resultant (wired)

16′ Subbass (ext Sw 8′) 12 pipes

8′ Offen Bass (Gt 8′)

8′ Gedeckt (Sw 8′)

8′ Gemshorn (Sw 8′)

4′ Choral Bass 32 pipes

4′ Flute (Sw 8′)

II Mixture (Gt)

16′ Posaune (prepared)

8′ Trompette (Sw)

4′ Regal (prepared)

Great to Pedal 8

Great to Pedal 4

Swell to Pedal 8

Swell to Pedal 4

 

29 stops, 14 ranks, 837 pipes

Stephen Schnurr

Stephen Schnurr is editorial director and publisher of The Diapason, director of music for Saint Paul Catholic Church, Valparaiso, Indiana, and adjunct instructor in organ for Valparaiso University.

This article is the final installment of a series in the August 2015, June 2016, July 2017, February 2018, June 2018, March 2021, and May 2021 issues of The Diapason. The information was delivered as a lecture for the Midwinter Pipe Organ Conclave on January 19, 2015, in La Grange, Illinois. The research for this project provides a history of a number of pipe organs in the village, but not all. For instance, organs in residences and theaters are not surveyed.

Grace Lutheran Church of La Grange was organized on April 14, 1887, as the Swedish Lutheran Church, the sixth congregation founded in the village. The lot at the southeast corner of Ogden and South Kensington Avenues was purchased the next month for $600. In June, an architect’s plan for a church measuring twenty feet by fifty feet was accepted, and ground was broken. The basement portion of the church was dedicated on September 25, 1887. The remainder of the structure was completed for dedication on October 8, 1895. This church was served by a reed organ.

Reverend Alfred Ostrom was called as first resident pastor in 1897 at a salary of $600 per year, plus a Christmas Day collection. A musician, he served as an editor of the first English hymnal of the Augustana Synod in 1901. In 1904, the congregation took the name Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Emmaus Church of La Grange. Reflecting the change of language for services from Swedish to English, the congregation became known as Emmaus Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1922.

In 1926, a committee was formed to plan for much-needed larger facilities, to be built on newly acquired property across Ogden Avenue. That year, the congregation became known as Grace English Lutheran Church, though “English” was dropped in 1927.

On the church’s fortieth anniversary in April 1927, a campaign was announced for the new structure. Ground was broken in October 1928, with the cornerstone laid the following month for a redbrick Gothic edifice with stone trim. Architects were Harry K. Culver and Walter C. Eden, the latter a member of the church. The nave seated 350 persons, and sliding doors to the adjoining hall provided overflow for an additional 125. Dedication occurred on June 2, 1929, with three services. Additions were made to the building in 1950 and 1966. The sanctuary was renovated to its present configuration in preparation for the congregation’s 125th anniversary celebration in 2012.

The original church still stands and was for some time home to another congregation, Grace and Truth Gospel Chapel. It has since been converted into a private residence.

For the present sanctuary, M. P. Möller of Hagerstown, Maryland, provided its opus 5522 costing $4,200. The contract was dated January 30, 1929, with completion set for June 1 of that year. An addition was typed onto the standard Möller contract stating that the builder “guarantees the workmanship, material, and tone qualities of this organ to be equal or superior to any organ built.” Wind pressure was five inches. The Echo division, never installed, was to be in a chamber provided near the rear of the nave, at second-floor level. A second tonal opening was located in the ceiling of an adjoining dining room. The organ was dedicated in service on June 4, 1929, two days after the church itself.

1929 M. P. Möller Opus 5522

GREAT (Manual I, enclosed)

8′ Open Diapason 73 pipes (scale 40, wood bass)

8′ Concert Flute 73 pipes

8′ Dulciana (scale 56) 73 pipes

4′ Solo Flute (ext 8′ Concert Flute)

4′ Dulcet (ext 8′ Dulciana)

Tremulant

Chimes (“Silent stop”)

SWELL (Manual II, enclosed)

16′ Bourdon 97 pipes

8′ Stopped Diapason (ext 16′ Bourdon)

8′ Salicional (scale 60) 73 pipes

8′ Voix Celeste (TC, scale 62) 61 pipes

4′ Flute d’Amour (ext 16′ Bourdon)

4′ Violina (ext 8′ Salicional)

2-2⁄3′ Nazard (ext 16′ Bourdon)

8′ Cornopean (“Small scale”) 73 pipes

8′ Vox Humana 61 pipes (scale 40, wood bass)

Tremulant

ECHO (Manual I, prepared at console)

8′ Echo Flute 73 pipes

8′ Muted Viole 61 pipes

8′ Vox Angelica 61 pipes

4′ Wahl [sic] Flute (ext 8′ Echo Flute)

Tremulant

PEDAL

16′ Sub Bass 44 pipes

16′ Lieblich Gedeckt (Swell, 16′ Bdn.)

8′ Bass Flute (ext 16′ Sub Bass)

Couplers

Great to Pedal

Swell to Pedal

Great to Great 16

Great Unison Off

Great to Great 4

Swell to Great 16

Swell to Great 8

Swell to Great 4

Swell to Swell 16

Swell Unison Off

Swell to Swell 4

Echo to Great

Echo On/Great Off

Adjustable Combinations

3 Full Organ

4 Great and Pedal and Cancel

4 Swell and Pedal and Cancel

3 Echo Organ

Accessories

Great to Pedal reversible (toe)

Balanced Swell expression shoe

Balanced Great expression shoe

Balanced Crescendo shoe (with indicator light)

Sforzando reversible (toe)

The congregation began to consider rebuilding and enlarging the organ or replacing it entirely in early 1957. A committee focused on proposals from the Aeolian-Skinner Organ Co., Casavant Frères, Limitée, and M. P. Möller, Inc. The initial concept was to expand the existing organ chambers to either side of the chancel, involving small additions to the building. An initial proposal from Möller, June 7, 1957, called for a modest instrument with Great, Swell I, Swell II, Antiphonal, Pedal, and Antiphonal Pedal divisions, showing the influence of Ernest White’s tonal direction. The Aeolian-Skinner, Casavant, and Möller proposals were sent (without builder identification) to several Chicago area organ experts, with opinions and comparisons received from Edward Eigenschenk (American Conservatory and Second Presbyterian Church), Heinrich Fleischer (University of Chicago and DePaul University), Austin Lovelace (First Methodist Church and Northwestern University, Evanston), and Stanley Martin (Emmanuel Episcopal Church, La Grange, and the Chicago Sunday Evening Club). The overwhelming response was in favor of the Möller proposal, though several had caveats.

A revised Möller proposal dated February 24, 1958, abandons the divided Swell plan and enlarged the Antiphonal division, so that it would be more useful in leading the congregation from the rear of the nave. An 8′ Principal was also added to the Great specification. By May of that year, Grace Church was contemplating placing most of the organ in the rear gallery. With this change of focus, the chambers in the chancel would be reused for an antiphonal organ for the gallery instrument.

A contract dated September 11, 1958, was signed for Möller Opus 9325, in the amount of $45,400, with completion set for December 1, 1959. Perhaps recalling a certain condition of the 1929 contract, this one stated, “The organ shall be a distinctive work of the builder, a product of his factory, and in no way an assembled instrument.” A three-manual gallery organ was provided, and the old organ was rebuilt as a two-manual chancel instrument, played from the gallery console. The church’s choirs moved from the chancel to the gallery. For the gallery organ, wind pressures were three-and-a-half inches for the Great, four inches for the Swell, Choir, and Pedal.

1959 M. P. Möler opus 9325

GREAT (Manual II)

16′ Quintade 73 pipes (scale 46, 24 zinc basses, remainder spotted metal)

8′ Principal 61 pipes (scale 46, 24 zinc basses, remainder spotted metal)

8′ Holzgedackt 61 pipes (“Reg. Stopped Flute Bass & Treble,” wood and metal)

8′ Quintaton (ext 16′ Quintade)

4′ Octave 61 pipes (scale 58, spotted metal)

2′ Waldflöte 61 pipes (scale 68, 3⁄4 taper, spotted metal)

III Rks. Fourniture 183 pipes (spotted metal)

Tremolo

Chimes 20 tubes (“present Antiphonal,” from tenor A)

SWELL (Manual III, enclosed)

8′ Rohrpfeife 61 pipes (scale 56, 12 zinc basses, remainder spotted metal)

8′ Viola 61 pipes (scale 52, 12 zinc basses, remainder spotted metal)

8′ Viola Celeste 54 pipes (from low G, scale 54, 5 zinc basses, remainder spotted metal)

4′ Suavial 61 pipes (scale 60, spotted metal)

2′ Zauberflöte 61 pipes (scale 62, spotted metal)

III Rks. Plein Jeu 183 pipes (spotted metal)

16′ Cor Anglais 61 pipes (half length, 4″ scale, “English Horn Pattern”)

8′ Trompette 61 pipes (12 basses half length)

4′ Hautbois 61 pipes (3″ scale, “Reg. Oboe Full Length”)

Tremolo

CHOIR (Manual I, enclosed)

16′ Gemshorn 73 pipes (scale 40, 1⁄3 taper, 24 zinc basses, remainder spotted metal)

8′ Bordon 61 pipes (scale 56, 12 zinc basses, remainder spotted metal)

8′ Gemshorn (ext 16′ Gemshorn)

4′ Koppelflöte 61 pipes (scale 64, spotted metal)

2′ Doublette 61 pipes (scale 72, spotted metal)

II Rks. Sesquialtera 122 pipes (spotted metal)

8′ Krummhorn 61 pipes (1″ scale, “Brass Treble”)

Tremolo

PEDAL

16′ Sub Bass  32 pipes (“Large Pedal Bdn., Low Lip, Large Ears”)

16′ Quintade (Great, 16′ Quintade)

16′ Gemshorn (Choir, 16′ Gemshorn)

8′ Geigen 44 pipes (scale 45, 17 zinc basses, remainder spotted metal)

8′ Quintaton (Great, 16′ Quintaton)

8′ Gemshorn (Choir, 16′ Gemshorn)

4′ Oktav (ext 8′ Geigen)

4′ Quintaton (Great 16′ Quintaton)

II Rks. Grave Mixture 88 pipes (5 zinc basses, remainder spotted metal)

II Rks. Rauschquinte (ext II Rks. Grave Mixture)

CHANCEL GREAT (Enclosed)

8′ Harfenprinzipal 73 pipes (new pipes, old action, scale 50, 12 zinc basses, remainder spotted metal)

8′ Concert Flute 73 pipes (old pipes and action, “Reg. Concert FLT,” wood and metal)

4′ Octave (ext 8′ Harfenprinzipal)

4′ Flute (ext 8′ Concert Flute)

III Rks. Mixture 183 pipes (new pipes, old Diapason action, spotted metal)

CHANCEL SWELL (Enclosed)

16′ Gedeckt 85 pipes (old pipes and action, “Reg. Man. Bdn.”)

8′ Gedeckt (ext 16′ Gedeckt)

8′ Salicional 61 pipes (old pipes and action, scale 60, 12 zinc basses, remainder spotted metal)

4′ Spitzprinzipal 73 pipes (new pipes, old action, scale 60, 3⁄4 taper, spotted metal)

4′ Gedeckt (ext 16′ Gedeckt)

2′ Octavin (ext 4′ Spitzprinzipal)

1-1⁄3′ Nasat 61 pipes (new pipes, old Vox Humana action, scale 80, 2⁄3 taper, spotted metal)

8′ Fagotto 61 pipes (new pipes, old Cornopean action, 2-1⁄4′′ scale, half length, “Open Oboe”)

Tremolo

CHANCEL PEDAL

16′ Bourdon 44 pipes (old pipes and action, “Reg. Ped. Bdn.”)

16′ Gedeckt (Chancel Swell, 16′ Gedeckt)

8′ Bourdon (ext 16′ Bourdon)

8′ Gedeckt (Chancel Swell, 16′ Gedeckt)

4′ Gedeckt (Chancel Swell, 16′ Gedeckt)

Couplers

Great to Pedal 8

Swell to Pedal 8

Swell to Pedal 4

Choir to Pedal 8

Choir to Pedal 4

Chancel Great to Pedal 8

Chancel Swell to Pedal 8

Chancel Swell to Pedal 4

Great Unison Off

Swell to Great 8

Swell to Great 4

Choir to Great 8

Choir to Great 4

Chancel Swell to Great 8

Chancel Swell to Great 4

Choir to Choir 16

Choir Unison Off

Choir to Choir 4

Great to Choir 8

Swell to Choir 8

Swell to Choir 4

Swell to Swell 16

Swell Unison Off

Swell to Swell 4

Chancel Swell Unison Off

Chancel Swell 4 to Swell 4

Adjustable Combinations

8 General pistons (thumb, 5–8 toe)

6 Great Organ pistons (thumb)

3 Chancel Great Organ pistons (thumb)

6 Swell Organ pistons (thumb)

3 Chancel Swell Organ pistons (thumb)

6 Choir Organ pistons (thumb)

6 Pedal and Chancel Pedal pistons (toe)

General Cancel (thumb)

Combination adjustor (thumb)

Accessories

Great to Pedal reversible (thumb and toe)

Swell to Pedal reversible (thumb and toe)

Choir to Pedal reversible (thumb and toe)

Balanced Swell and Chancel Swell expression shoe

Balanced Choir expression shoe

Balanced Chancel Great expression shoe

Balanced Crescendo shoe (with 3 indicator lights)

Gallery-Both-Chancel thumb pistons

Chancel Swell to Chancel Great expression shoe reversible (with indicator light)

Tutti reversible (thumb and toe, with indicator light)

Cancel tabs over stop groups

In 1993, the Möller organ was thoroughly rebuilt by Dan Vaughan of Phoenix, Arizona. The organ’s action was converted to all-electric. Much of the Möller pipework was retained for the new instrument. In 2001, Ericksen, Christian, and Associates of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, replaced the Great 8′ Principal, 4′ Octave, and 2′ Fifteenth with new pipes supplied by Rieger-Kloss of the Czech Republic.

1993 Dan Vaughan organ

GREAT (Manual II)

16′ Quintaten 61 pipes

8′ Principal 61 pipes

8′ Holz Gedeckt 73 pipes

4′ Octave 61 pipes

4′ Gedeckt (ext 8′ Holz Gedeckt)

2′ Fifteenth 61 pipes

III Fourniture 183 pipes

8′ Trompette 61 pipes

Chimes (tenor A) 21 tubes

Zimbelstern

SWELL (Manual III, enclosed)

8′ Principal 61 pipes

8′ Rohr Flute 73 pipes

8′ Viola 61 pipes

8′ Viole Celeste (low G) 54 pipes

4′ Octave 61 pipes

4′ Rohr Gedeckt (ext 8′ Rohr Flute)

2′ Flautina 61 pipes

III Plein Jeu 183 pipes

16′ Cor Anglais 73 pipes

8′ Trumpet 61 pipes

8′ Trompette (Great, 8′ Trompette)

8′ Hautbois (ext 16′ Cor Anglais)

4′ Clarion 61 pipes

Tremolo

CHOIR (Manual I, enclosed)

8′ Bourdon 61 pipes

8′ Gemshorn 61 pipes

4′ Koppelflote 61 pipes

2-2⁄3′ Nazard 61 pipes

2′ Principal 61 pipes

1-3⁄5′ Tierce 61 pipes

1′ Twenty-Second (fr 2′ Principal)

8′ Krummhorn 61 pipes

Tremolo

Choir Unison

Choir to Choir 4

PEDAL

32′ Resultant (fr 16′ Bourdon)

16′ Principal 56 pipes

16′ Sub Bass 32 pipes

16′ Bourdon 12 pipes (ext Choir 8′ Bourdon)

16′ Gedeckt (Chancel Swell, 16′ Bourdon)

16′ Gemshorn 12 pipes (ext Choir 8′ Gemshorn)

8′ Principal (ext 16′ Principal)

8′ Bourdon (Choir 8′ Bourdon)

8′ Gedeckt (Chancel Sw 16′ Gedeckt)

4′ Octave (ext 16′ Principal)

4′ Bourdon (Choir 4′ Koppel Flote)

2′ Super Octave (fr Great 4′ Octave)

III Cornet 96 pipes

16′ Bombarde (Swell 16′ Trumpet)

8′ Trumpet (Swell, 8′ Trumpet)

4′ Hautbois (Swell, 8′ Hautbois)

CHANCEL GREAT (Manual II)

8′ Bauerflote 85 pipes

4′ Lieblich Flote (ext 8′ Bauerflote)

2′ Bauerflote (ext 8′ Bauerflote)

1′ Lieblich Flote (fr 8′ Bauerflote)

III Cymbal 183 pipes

CHANCEL SWELL (Manual III, enclosed)

16′ Gedeckt 97 pipes

8′ Gedeckt (ext 16′ Gedeckt)

8′ Salicional 61 pipes

4′ Spitz Principal 73 pipes

4′ Gedeckt (ext 16′ Gedeckt)

2-2⁄3′ Nazard (ext 16′ Gedeckt)

2′ Flute (ext 16′ Gedeckt)

1-1⁄3′ Larigot (ext 4′ Spitz Principal)

8′ Fagotto 61 pipes

Tremolo

Swell to Swell 4

Inter-divisional Couplers

Great to Pedal 8

Great to Pedal 4

Swell to Pedal 8

Swell to Pedal 4

Choir to Pedal 8

Choir to Pedal 4

Swell to Great 16

Swell to Great 8

Swell to Great 4

Choir to Great 16

Choir to Great 8

Choir to Great 4

Swell to Choir 16

Swell to Choir 8

Swell to Choir 4

Accessories

8 Full Organ pistons (thumb), 1–4 and 8 (toe)

6 Great pistons (thumb)

6 Swell pistons (thumb)

6 Choir pistons (thumb)

3 Chancel Great pistons (thumb)

3 Chancel Swell pistons (thumb)

2 Pedal pistons (toe)

General Cancel (thumb)

Comb. Adjuster (thumb)

Midi 1–8

Great to Pedal reversible (thumb and toe)

Swell to Pedal reversible (thumb and toe)

Choir to Pedal reversible (thumb and toe)

Gallery/Chancel/Both (thumb)

Balanced Swell expression shoe

Balanced Choir expression shoe

Balanced Chancel Swell expression shoe

Balanced Crescendo shoe (with three green indicator lights)

Tutti reversible (thumb and toe, with red indicator light)

Wind indicator (white)

Memory Level/Show/Player/Gt.-Ch. Rev./Transp. Up/Transp. Down (thumb)

Stephen Schnurr

Stephen Schnurr is editorial director and publisher of The Diapason, director of music for Saint Paul Catholic Church, Valparaiso, Indiana, and adjunct instructor in organ for Valparaiso University.

As one travels the John F. Kennedy Expressway on the north side of downtown Chicago, one can count the towers of five impressive church edifices that comprise the principal history of Chicago’s Polish Catholics. The heart of Chicago’s “Polonia,” the neighborhoods nearby, has been home to a large number of immigrants who came to the United States from Poland or are of Polish descent. In 1950, Chicago had the largest Polish population outside the city of Warsaw. Today, Polish is the third most frequently heard language in this city, behind English and Spanish.

This is a tale of a church founded for success with large numbers of faithful, only two generations later experiencing alarming decline. Scheduled to close, the parish managed to turn itself around and is now thriving once again, a jewel box of sacred art and architecture, a model of traditional liturgy, and a home for the performing arts, sacred and secular. While many churches have removed their organs or cannot afford to maintain them, here is a parish with no fewer than four pipe organs, all in regular use, for ritual or for concert, or both! Indeed, one could have an “organ crawl” at one address.

Saint John Cantius Catholic Church was founded in 1893 to relieve the overcrowded parish of Saint Stanislaus Kostka and other Polish parishes in this area of the city. Saint Stanislaus had become the largest parish in the world in 1892, and, thus, a division of the parish of 8,000 families had become necessary.  The mother parish was located approximately one mile away in its Patrick C. Keely-designed edifice constructed between 1877 and 1881 and housing Johnson & Son opus 553, a two-manual, thirty-three-rank organ.

The Reverend John Kasprzycki, C.R. (Congregation of the Resurrection), was appointed first pastor of Saint John Cantius, a congregation with an immediate roster of 2,000 families. In acquiring the present property on North Carpenter Street between West Fry and Chicago Avenues, some twenty residences were demolished for the new parish campus. The cornerstone of the church was laid by Archbishop Patrick A. Feehan on September 4, 1893. A crowd of an estimated 25,000 attended the event, with music provided by twenty-seven Polish singing societies. By November, the parish school was opened in the basement section of the building. The rectory, located at the corner of Carpenter and Fry, was blessed on December 20. The lower church was blessed by Feehan on Christmas Eve, and the first Mass was celebrated the following day, the traditional founding date of the parish. The upper church was completed and blessed by Archbishop Feehan on December 11, 1898. Construction cost was $130,000. The Romanesque edifice was designed by Adolphus Druiding. A German native then living in Chicago, Druiding designed Saint George and Saint Hedwig Catholic Churches in Chicago, as well. Seating 2,000 persons, Saint John Cantius Church measured 230 feet long, 107 feet wide.

Father Eugene Sedlaczek, C.R., was named second pastor of Saint John Cantius in 1899. Within two years, he oversaw the interior decoration of the church.

The Reverend Stanislaus Rogalski, C.R., was named fourth pastor in 1902. The following year, construction for the present school building commenced, completed in November. The school and the rectory were designed by Henry Schlacks of Chicago. A clock and bells were installed in the 130-foot tower and the church interior painted. Father John Kosinski, C.R., became fifth pastor in 1909. Under his leadership, magnificent stained-glass windows were installed in the church. The Reverend Stanislaus Siatka, C.R., became pastor in 1915. New concrete stairs of monumental proportions were created in front of the church, the basement was remodeled to become an auditorium, and a convent constructed. (At one point, the convent housed forty-seven School Sisters of Notre Dame.) By the parish silver jubilee on December 25, 1918, membership climbed to 23,000 persons, with 2,000 children enrolled in the school.

In the 1950s, numerous neighborhood homes were demolished to make way for what would become known as the Kennedy Expressway, a project that drastically changed the parish environs. Parish membership, which had been in decline, would drop even more drastically. The school closed in 1967. At one point, the parish itself was to be shuttered.

The decline of the parish was reversed in the late 1980s with the appointment of the Reverend C. Frank Phillips, C. R., as pastor, and the parish was soon vibrant and growing, with membership coming from great distances. The Canons Regular of Saint John Cantius, a religious community of men, was founded in the parish in 1998, and this organization now administers the parish. The church interior has been thoroughly restored and enhanced, complemented with countless religious artworks now on display throughout the entire parish campus.

The first organ of record in Saint John Cantius Church was A. B. Felgemaker & Son Opus 723, installed in the choir gallery (the upper of two balconies) in the rear of the nave in 1900.

1900 A. B. Felgemaker & Son Opus 723

GREAT (Manual I)

16′ Double Open Diapason 61 pipes (metal)

8′ Open Diapason (metal) 61 pipes

8′ Doppel Floete (wood) 61 pipes

8′ Viola da Gamba (metal) 61 pipes

8′ Dulciana (metal) 61 pipes

4′ Octave (metal) 61 pipes

4′ Flute d’Amour 61 pipes (wood & metal)

3′ Octave Quinte (metal) 61 pipes

2′ Super Octave (metal) 61 pipes

III Mixture (metal) 183 pipes

8′ Trumpet (metal) 61 pipes

SWELL (Manual II, enclosed)

16′ Bourdon 61 pipes (treble and bass, wood)

8′ Open Diapason 61 pipes (wood & metal)

8′ Stopped Diapason (wood) 61 pipes

8′ Salicional (metal) 61 pipes

8′ Aeolina (metal) 61 pipes

4′ Gemshorn (metal) 61 pipes

4′ Flute Harmonique 61 pipes (metal)

2′ Flageolet (metal) 61 pipes

III Dolce Cornet (metal) 183 pipes

8′ Oboe & Bassoon (metal) 61 pipes

PEDAL

16′ Double Open Diapason 30 pipes (wood)

16′ Bourdon (wood) 30 pipes

8′ Violoncello (metal) 30 pipes

8′ Floete (wood) 30 pipes

Couplers

Great to Pedal

Swell to Pedal

Swell to Great in Sub-Octave

Swell to Great

Swell to Great in Super Octave

Accessories

Forte Combination Great and Pedal Stops

Piano Combination Great and Pedal Stops

Forte Combination Swell and Pedal Stops

Piano Combination Swell and Pedal Stops

Tremolo

Great to Pedal Reversible

Balanced Swell Pedal

Balanced Crescendo Pedal

Bellows Signal

Wind Indicator

The January 1, 1919, issue of The Diapason noted that a W. W. Kimball Company organ was dedicated at Saint John Cantius in December of 1918. Further information on this instrument has not come to light, and it may not have been installed in the church. It is possible that it was placed in the lower church-auditorium or elsewhere.

In 1922, Geo. Kilgen & Son of Saint Louis, Missouri, installed a new three-manual organ in the upper balcony of the church, Opus 3118. In 1927, the builder added an Echo division, placed behind the main altar, as their Opus 3932.

1922/1927 Geo. Kilgen & Son Opus 3118/3932

GREAT (Manual II, enclosed?)

8′ First Open Diapason

8′ Second Open Diapason

8′ Gross Flute

8′ Doppel Flute

8′ Gamba

4′ Octave

4′ Harmonic Flute

2′ Octave

8′ Tuba

Great to Great 16

Great Unison Off

Great to Great 4

Swell to Great 16

Swell to Great 8

Swell to Great 4

Choir to Great 16

Choir to Great 8

Choir to Great 4

Echo to Great 8

SWELL (Manual III, enclosed)

16′ Lieblich Gedeckt

8′ Open Diapason

8′ Stopped Flute (ext 16′ Lieb Ged)

8′ Salicional

8′ Voix Celeste

8′ Muted Viole

4′ Violina

4′ Flute

16′ Fagotto

8′ Cornopean

8′ Fagotto (ext 16′ Fagotto)

8′ Vox Humana

Tremolo

Swell to Swell 16

Swell Unison Off

Swell to Swell 4

Echo to Swell 8

CHOIR (Manual I, enclosed)

16′ Quintadena

8′ Violin Diapason

8′ Melodia

8′ Quintadena (ext 16′ Quintadena)

8′ Dulciana

4′ Flute d’Amore

2′ Piccolo

8′ Clarinet

Tremolo

Choir to Choir 16

Choir Unison Off

Choir to Choir 4

Swell to Choir 16

Swell to Choir 8

Swell to Choir 4

Echo to Choir 8

ECHO (Manual IV, enclosed)

16′ Bourdon

8′ Open Diapason

8′ Bourdon (ext 16′ Bourdon)

8′ String

8′ Celeste (TC)

4′ Flute

2′ Zart Flute (ext 4′ Flute)

8′ Vox Humana

Tremolo

Chimes

PEDAL

32′ Resultant

16′ Open Diapason (wood)

16′ Open Diapason (metal)

16′ Bourdon

16′ Lieblich Gedeckt (Sw 16′ Lieb Ged)

8′ Gamba (Gt 8′ Gamba)

8′ Bass Flute (ext 16′ Bourdon)

8′ Dolce Flute (Sw 16′ Lieb Ged)

16′ Trombone

16′ Fagotto (Sw 16′ Fagotto)

8′ Fagotto (Sw 16′ Fagotto)

Great to Pedal 8

Great to Pedal 4

Swell to Pedal 8

Swell to Pedal 4

Choir to Pedal 8

Choir to Pedal 4

Echo to Pedal 8

By the early 1990s, a one-manual, mechanical-action organ was relocated to the left balcony of the nave. The builder of this instrument was never ascertained, though interior evidence leads one to believe it was likely built around 1881 and perhaps in the New York City area. The organ has since been removed from the church and is now in storage at the retreat facility of the Canons Regular of Saint John Cantius in Lawton, Michigan. It has a 55-note compass (C–G, no high F#) and a Pedal compass of 27 notes (C–D).

MANUAL

8′ Principal

8′ Gamba

8′ Melodia

4′ Flute

2′ Open

PEDAL

16′ Subbass

Manual to Pedal Coupler

About 1996, the Kilgen organ in the rear gallery of the nave was rebuilt by Daniel Bogue and Associates of Downers Grove, Illinois, which closed in 1989. Some pipework was incorporated from an organ formerly in Alvernia High School of Chicago. This organ was removed in late 2011.

1996 Daniel Bogue and Associates organ

GREAT (Manual II, enclosed with Choir, south side)

8′ Principal

8′ Flute (stopped)

4′ Octave (5 basses in façade)

4′ Flute (harmonic from middle C)

2′ Principal (ext 4′ Octave)

IV Fourniture (1′)

8′ Trompette (harmonic from B3)

4′ Clarion (ext 8′ Trompette)

2 blank tabs

Great to Great 16

Great Unison Off

Great to Great 4

Swell to Great 16

Swell to Great 8

Swell to Great 4

Choir to Great 16

Choir to Great 8

Choir to Great 4

Echo to Great 8

SWELL (Manual III, enclosed, north side)

16′ Bourdon (wood)

8′ Principal

8′ Bourdon (ext 16′ Bourdon)

8′ Gamba

8′ Gamba Celeste (TC)

4′ Principal (ext 8′ Principal)

4′ Flute (open wood, harmonic from middle C)

2-2⁄3′ Nazard

2′ Principal

1-3⁄5′ Tierce

IV Plein Jeu

16′ Fagotto (1–12 half-length)

8′ Trumpet

8′ Fagotto (ext 16′ Fagotto)

4′ Clarion (ext 8′ Trumpet)

Tremolo

Swell to Swell 16

Swell Unison Off

Swell to Swell 4

Echo to Swell 8

CHOIR (Manual I, enclosed with Great, south side)

16′ Gemshorn (12 Quintaton basses)

8′ Violin Diapason

8′ Hohl Flute (wood, 12 stopped basses, remainder open)

8′ Gemshorn (ext 16′ Gemshorn)

8′ Gemshorn Celeste (TC)

4′ Principal (ext 8′ Violin Diapason)

4′ Gedeckt (wood)

2′ Flute (harmonic from tenor C)

1-1⁄3′ Larigot (ext 4′ Gedeckt)

III Cymbel

8′ Cromorne

Tremolo

1 blank tab

Choir to Choir 16

Choir Unison Off

Choir to Choir 4

Swell to Choir 16

Swell to Choir 8

Swell to Choir 4

Echo to Choir 8

ECHO (Enclosed, floating)

8′ Bourdon

8′ String

8′ Celeste (TC)

4′ Flute (ext 8′ Bourdon)

2′ Flute (ext 8′ Bourdon)

8′ Vox Humana

1 blank tablet

Tremolo

Chimes

PEDAL

32′ Resultant (fr 16′ Bourdon)

16′ Double Open Diapason (wood, north side)

16′ Contra Bass (E1–E4 in façade, south side)

16′ Bourdon (north side)

16′ Lieblich Gedeckt (Sw 16′ Bourdon)

8′ Octave (ext 16′ Contra Bass)

8′ Bass Flute (ext 16′ Bourdon)

8′ Gedeckt (Sw 16′ Bourdon)

4′ Choral Bass (ext 16′ Contra Bass)

4′ Flute (Sw 16′ Bourdon)

2′ Octavin (ext 16′ Contra Bass)

16′ Contra Trumpet (ext Great 8′ Trompette, full-length)

16′ Contra Fagotto (Sw 16′ Fagotto)

8′ Trumpet (Gt 8′ Trompette)

4′ Clarion (Gt 8′ Trompette)

Great to Pedal 8

Swell to Pedal 8

Choir to Pedal 8

Echo to Pedal 8

ECHO PEDAL (enclosed with Echo)

16′ Bourdon (ext Echo 8′ Bourdon)

8′ Bourdon (fr Echo 8′ Bourdon)

Accessories

10 General Pistons (thumb)

6 Great Pistons and Cancel (thumb)

6 Swell Pistons and Cancel (thumb)

6 Choir Pistons and Cancel (thumb)

6 Echo Pistons and Cancel (thumb)

6 Pedal Pistons and Cancel (thumb)

General Cancel (thumb)

Great to Pedal reversible (thumb and toe)

Swell to Pedal reversible (thumb and toe)

Choir to Pedal reversible (thumb and toe)

Balanced Swell expression shoe

Balanced Great/Choir expression shoe

Balanced Crescendo shoe (with indicator light)

Combination Lock (key)

Sforzando Reversible (thumb and toe, with indicator light)

Wind Indicator

In 2005, Saint John Cantius Church commissioned one of the last organs built by Oberlinger Orgelbau of Windesheim, Germany. The one-manual, mechanical-action instrument resides on the main floor of the nave. Manual compass is 51 notes (C–D). A lever transposes the organ one half-step down (A=415 Hz). The instrument was blessed on May 14, 2005, by the Most Reverend Basil Meeking, Bishop Emeritus of Christchurch, New Zealand.

2005 Oberlinger organ

MANUAL

8′ Traversflöte (tenor B, wood)

8′ Copula (stopped wood)

4′ Gedackt (30 basses stopped wood, remainder open metal)

2′ Principalflöte (18 capped metal basses, remainder open metal)

1-1⁄3′ Quinte (24 capped metal basses, remainder open metal)

1–2f Cymbel (1⁄2′)

Accessory

H–C (transposer)

In August 2008, a two-manual, mechanical-action organ built in 1991 by Alfred Wild of Gottenhouse, France, was installed in the sanctuary of the church. It was on loan to the parish by a nearby resident who was a friend of Father Phillips. The stopknobs are unlabeled. Temperament is Kirnberger. Manual compass is 56 notes (C–G). In October 2015, the organ was moved to the lower balcony at the rear of the church, so that it could be used with the choir or instrumentalists when a small organ is desirable. In 2017 the instrument was returned to its owner.

1991 Alfred Wild organ

MANUAL I

8′ Gedackt (wood)

4′ Chimney Flute

2′ Principal

MANUAL II

8′ Gedackt (fr Manual I 8′ Gedackt)

8′ Regal

Couplers

Manual I to Pedal

Manual II to Pedal

Manual II to Manual I

The lower balcony at the rear of the nave housed an organ installed in January 2007. The instrument was built by Allyn Hoverland for his residence and sold to the church in December 2006. Wind pressure is 21⁄2 inches. The console is recycled from an M. P. Möller organ. The organ was blessed by Auxiliary Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki on Sunday, February 11, 2007. When the upper gallery organ was removed in preparation for the restored Casavant organ described below, this instrument was the primary organ in the church for several years. This instrument was sold to Saint Mary Catholic Church, Iron Mountain, Michigan, and moved there in late 2014 by
J. L. Weiler, Inc., of Chicago.

Specification of the Allyn Hoverland organ

MANUAL I

8′ Principal (B)

8′ Stopped Flute (A, 1–49; E, 50–61)

8′ Chimney Flute (A, 1–12; C, 13–61)

4′ Principal (B)

4′ Block Flute (A, 1–12; E, 13–61)

2-2⁄3′ Quinte (D)

2′ Block Flute (E)

III Mixture (D, F)

II Mixture (F)

MANUAL II

8′ Block Flute (A, 1–24; E, 25–61)

8′ Chimney Flute (A, 1–12; C, 13–61)

4′ Chimney Flute (C)

2′ Principal (B, 1–49; E, 50–61)

1-1⁄3′ Quinte (D)

PEDAL

16′ Bourdon (A, 1–24; C, 25–32)

10-2⁄3′ Quint Flute (A, 1–17; C, 18–32)

8′ Principal (B)

8′ Chimney Flute (A, 1–12; C, 13–32)

5-1⁄3′ Quinte (A, 1–5; C, 6–12; D, 13–32)

4′ Principal (B)

4′ Chimney Flute (C)

2-2⁄3′ Quinte (D)

2′ Block Flute (E)

Mixture III [sic] (F)

Accessories

10 General pistons (1–10, thumb; 1–5, toe)

5 Manual I pistons (thumb and toe)

5 Manual II pistons (thumb)

General Cancel (thumb)

Analysis

A=16′ Bourdon, c. 1890, builder unknown, 61 pipes

B=8′ Principal, 12 basses c. 1980 M. P. Möller, remainder 1978 Casavant, 73 pipes

C=4′ Chimney Flute, c. 1870, builder unknown, 61 pipes

D=2-2⁄3′ Quinte, builder unknown, 61 pipes

E=2′ Block Flute, 1978 Casavant, 61 pipes

F=II Mixture (1′), 1978 Casavant, 122 pipes

The lower auditorium of the church building houses a 1927 Wurlitzer organ that was installed by Century Pipe Organs of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Wurlitzer was built for the Terrace Theatre of New York City and, in 1935, moved by the builder to the studios of radio station WOR of the Mutual Broadcasting System in New York City. At Saint John Cantius, the two-manual, seven-rank, electro-pneumatic-action organ (Style “E”) was placed in a special chamber built on the stage of the auditorium. Manual compass is 61 notes (C–C); Pedal compass (concave, radiating pedalboard) is 32 notes (C–G). The project was completed in 2013.

The console has stop-tongue control, with the following colors: reeds in red; strings in mottled yellow; flues in white; couplers in black. Originally, the Tibia, Vox Humana, and Trumpet ranks were in a separate expression box, though the entire organ is now in one enclosure. There are today still two expression shoes.

In 2015, J. L. Weiler, Inc., of Chicago carried out work on the console, improving its overall appearance, fine-tuning the key regulation and response, revising atypical nomenclature as it applies to console controls, and tidying the wiring in the console. The existing solid-state control system was upgraded to its latest version.

1927 Wurlitzer Opus 1818

Analysis

8′ Tibia Clausa 85 pipes

16′ Bourdon/Concert Flute 97 pipes

16′ Diaphone/Diaphonic Diapason 85 pipes

8′ Trumpet 61 pipes

8′ Violin 73 pipes

8′ Violin Celeste 73 pipes

8′ Vox Humana 61 pipes

ACCOMPANIMENT (Manual I)

8′ Trumpet

8′ Diaphonic Diapason

8′ Tibia Clausa

8′ Violin (Violin and Celeste)

8′ Concert Flute

8′ Vox Humana

4′ Octave

4′ Piccolo (Tibia Clausa)

4′ Viol (Violin and Celeste)

4′ Flute

4′ Vox Humana

2-2⁄3′ Twelfth (Bourdon)

2′ Piccolo (Bourdon)

Accompaniment Octave

Chrysoglott (G1–G5)

Snare Drum (reiterates)

Tambourine (reiterates)

Castanets (reiterates)

Chinese Block

Tom Tom

Jazz Cymbal

Triangle

Sleigh Bells

Accompaniment Second Touch

8′ Trumpet

8′ Open Diapason

8′ Tibia Clausa

4′ Piccolo (Tibia)

Chrysoglott

Glockenspiel

Cathedral Chimes

Accomp Traps

SOLO (Manual II)

16′ Trumpet (TC)

16′ Diaphone

16′ Tibia Clausa (TC)

16′ Violone (TC, two ranks)

16′ Bourdon

16′ Vox Humana (TC)

8′ Trumpet

8′ Diaphonic Diapason

8′ Tibia Clausa

8′ Violin (Violin and Celeste)

8′ Concert Flute

8′ Vox Humana

5-1⁄3′ Fifth (Tibia Clausa)

4′ Octave

4′ Piccolo (Tibia Clausa)

4′ Viol (Violin and Celeste)

4′ Flute

2-2⁄3′ Twelfth (Tibia Clausa)

2′ Piccolo (Tibia Clausa)

2′ Fifteenth (Violin)

2′ Piccolo (Bourdon)

1-3⁄5′ Tierce (Tibia Clausa)

1′ Fife (Bourdon)

Solo Sub Octave

Solo Octave

Xylophone (C2–C5)

Glockenspiel (G2–C5)

Chrysoglott (G1–G5)

Sleigh Bells (C2–C4, tuned, reiterates)

Chimes (G2–C4) 18 tubes

PEDAL

16′ Diaphone

16′ Bourdon

8′ Trumpet

8′ Diaphonic Diapason

8′ Tibia Clausa

8′ Cello

8′ Flute

Accomp to Pedal

Bass Drum

Kettle Drum (reiterates)

Tap Cymbal

Crash Cymbal

Tremulants

Tibia Clausa Trem

Solo Tremulant

Main Tremulant

Vox Humana Trem

Accessories

5 Accompaniment pistons (thumb), usable as divisionals or generals

5 Solo pistons (thumb), usable as divisionals or generals

Celestes Off

Accomp Perc/Pedal

Bell (right Accompaniment keycheeck)

Balanced Main expression shoe

Balanced Solo expression shoe

Balanced Crescendo shoe

Range

Set

Unlabeled toe studs for effects: Bird, Auto Horn, Train Whistle, Horses Hooves, Fire Gong

The former convent, now known as the Canonry, has a chapel named for Saint Joseph housing a two-manual, three-rank, electro-pneumatic-action Casavant organ, built for the chapel of the Servantes de Jesus Marie, Rimouski, Québec, Canada. This instrument was installed at Saint John Cantius in Autumn 2010 by Jeff Weiler and Associates of Chicago. The console of the organ is located in a balcony, while the pipework is in a free-standing case on the floor. Manual compass is 61 notes (C–C); Pedal compass (concave, radiating pedalboard) is 32 notes (C–G). The entire organ is enclosed.

1957 Casavant Opus 2403

GRAND ORGUE (Manual I)

16′ Bourdon 85 pipes

8′ Principal (TC, 12 basses 61 pipes from 8′ Flute at 8′ and 4′ pitches)

8′ Bourdon (ext 16′ Bourdon)

8′ Dulciane (TC, 12 basses 73 pipes from 8′ Flute)

4′ Violina (ext 8′ Principal)

4′ Dulcet (ext 8′ Dulciane)

4′ Flute d’Amour (ext 16′ Bourdon)

2-2⁄3′ Nazard (ext 8′ Dulciane)

2′ Doublette (ext 8′ Dulciane)

Recit au Grand Orgue

RECIT (Manual II)

8′ Principal (G.O. 8′ Principal)

8′ Bourdon (G.O. 16′ Bourdon)

8′ Quintaton (synthetic, Flute at 8′, Dulciane at 2-2⁄3′)

8′ Dulciane (G.O. 8′ Dulciane)

4′ Violina (G.O. 8′ Principal)

4′ Flute (G.O. 16′ Bourdon)

4′ Dulcet (G.O. 8′ Dulciane)

8′ Hautbois (synthetic, Principal at 8′, Flute at 2-2⁄3′, 12 basses from Flute at 8′ and 4′)

Tremolo

PEDALE

16′ Bourdon (G.O. 16′ Bourdon)

8′ Bourdon (G.O. 16′ Bourdon)

4′ Principal (G.O. 8′ Principal)

4′ Flute (G.O. 16′ Bourdon)

4′ Dulcet (G.O. 8′ Dulciane)

Gr. Orgue a la Pedale

Recit a la Pedale

Accessories

3 Grand Orgue and Pedale pistons (thumb)

3 Recit pistons (thumb)

Balanced expression shoe

Balanced Crescendo shoe (with rotating indicator dial)

On Sunday, October 20, 2013, a historic pipe organ that has been part of Chicago’s history for more than three-quarters of a century was dedicated in its new home, Saint John Cantius Church. The afternoon and evening activities commenced with a blessing of the organ by His Eminence, the late Francis Cardinal George, OMI, Archbishop of Chicago, followed by a Pontifical Latin High Mass, celebrated by the Most Reverend Joseph N. Perry, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago. Choral and organ works by Louis Vierne, Healey Willan, Charles-Marie Widor, and Marcel Dupré filled the nave with sound. An over-capacity crowd filled the church, including its side balconies, with additional faithful standing in the aisles. Following a dinner catered in the church’s lower level, the evening was capped with a dedicatory recital.

The event was the conclusion of a three-year restoration and relocation project for Casavant Frères opus 1130, built for Saint James Methodist Episcopal Church of the Kenwood neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. Saint James, founded in 1896, was once attended by several of Chicago’s great commerce giants, including the Swift and Harris families of meatpacking and banking fame. In 1915, Gustavus F. Swift donated a four-manual Casavant organ built in the company’s South Haven, Michigan, plant. The Victorian Gothic church and its organ burned in 1924. The congregation commissioned Chicago’s Tallmadge & Watson to design an expansive new building, again in the Gothic style, completed in 1926. For this edifice, Tina Mae Haines, arguably Chicago’s finest female organist, lobbied the church’s leaders for a new, four-manual Casavant organ, despite pressure to purchase a Skinner organ, like many other wealthy churches. Miss Haines won her argument, and Opus 1130 was built to her specification, the funds again donated by the Swift family, $28,890. (M. P. Möller installed its Opus 4605, a two-manual, ten-rank organ costing $5,100 in the chapel.) The Casavant would be one of the South Side’s finest church and concert organs. Marcel Dupré gave a memorable program at Saint James in 1937 to a capacity crowd.

Sadly, Saint James United Methodist Church closed Sunday, December 26, 2010. The author was honored to be the last person to play the Casavant organ publicly in its original home, for an impromptu hymn festival at the conclusion of the church’s final service. Andrew Szymanski, a friend who had informed me of the church’s impending closure, joined church members as we all sang, concluding with “Abide with Me” and George Frederick Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.” It was the first time the organ had been used in many years. Several congregants present at Saint James’s closing were present for the rededication of their organ at Saint John Cantius.

That fateful phone call from my friend informing me the church was closing made the relocation of the organ possible. If not for that, the church would have silently ended its existence; instead, I was able to make phone calls that made the connections happen for the organ to be removed.

Then followed a restoration project for Opus 1130, carried out by J. L. Weiler, Inc., of Chicago, and the organ’s builder, Casavant, in Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada. The console of the organ is located in the lower west balcony, while the remainder of the main organ is in the upper west balcony with the Echo division in the north balcony (in a transept). Nearly ninety years after its initial installation, the organ began a new era of promise. It is fondly known as “Tina Mae.”

1926 Casavant FrПres, Limitée, Opus 1130

GREAT (Manual II, 4-inch wind pressure)

16′ Double Open (metal) 73 pipes

8′ I Open Diapason (metal) 73 pipes

8′ II Open Diapason (metal) 73 pipes

8′ Doppelflöte 73 pipes (wood and metal)

8′ Gemshorn (metal) 73 pipes

4′ Octave (metal) 73 pipes

4′ Harmonic Flute (metal) 73 pipes

Mixture IV (metal) 244 pipes

8′ Trumpet (metal) 73 pipes

Chimes (from Echo)

SWELL (Manual III, enclosed, 41Џ2-inch and 7-inch wind
pressures)

16′ Bourdon (wood) 73 pipes

8′ Open Diapason (metal)* 73 pipes

8′ Violin Diapason (metal) 73 pipes

8′ Stopped Diapason 73 pipes (wood and metal)

8′ Salicional (metal) 73 pipes

8′ Viola di Gamba (metal) 73 pipes

8′ Aeoline (metal) 73 pipes

8′ II Voix Celeste (metal) 134 pipes

4′ Violina (metal) 73 pipes

4′ Flauto Trav. 73 pipes (wood and metal)*

2′ Piccolo (metal) 61 pipes

Dolce Cornet III (metal) 183 pipes

16′ Double Trumpet (metal)* 73 pipes

8′ Cornopean (metal)* 73 pipes

8′ Oboe (metal) 73 pipes

8′ Vox Humana (metal) 73 pipes

4′ Clarion (metal)* 73 pipes

Tremulant

Chimes (from Echo)

* 7-inch wind pressure

CHOIR (Manual I, enclosed, 6-inch wind pressure)

16′ Gamba (metal) 73 pipes

8′ Open Diapason (metal) 73 pipes

8′ Concert Flute 73 pipes (wood and metal)

8′ Dulciana (metal) 73 pipes

8′ Unda Maris (metal) 73 pipes

4′ Flute d’Amour 73 pipes (wood and metal)

2-2⁄3′ Nazard (metal) 73 pipes

2′ Flageolet (metal) 61 pipes

8′ Clarinet (metal) 73 pipes

8′ Cor Anglais (metal) 73 pipes

Tremulant

Celesta 61 bars

Celesta Sub (from Celesta)

SOLO (Manual IV, enclosed, 12-inch wind pressure)

8′ Stentorphone (metal) 73 pipes

8′ Gross Flute 73 pipes (wood and metal)

8′ Viole d’Orchestre (metal) 73 pipes

8′ Viole Celeste (metal) 73 pipes

8′ Tuba (metal) 73 pipes

Tremulant

ECHO (Floating, enclosed, 3-1/2-inch wind pressure)

8′ Echo Diapason (metal) 73 pipes

8′ Cor de Nuit 73 pipes (wood and metal)

4′ Fern Flöte (metal) 73 pipes

8′ Musette (metal) 73 pipes

Tremulant

Chimes (from tenor G) 25 tubes

PEDAL

32′ Double Open 12 pipes (resultant, 16′ Open Diapason, with independent quints)

16′ Open Diapason (wood) 44 pipes

16′ Bourdon (wood) 44 pipes

16′ Contra Gamba (Ch 16′ Con Gamba)

16′ Lieblich Gedeckt (Sw 16′ Bourdon)

8′ Flute (ext 16′ Open Diapason)

8′ Stopped Flute (ext 16′ Bourdon)

8′ Cello (metal) 32 pipes

16′ Trombone (metal) 32 pipes

Chimes (from Echo)

Couplers

Great to Pedal 8

Swell to Pedal 8

Swell to Pedal 4

Choir to Pedal 8

Solo to Pedal 8

Solo to Pedal 4

Echo to Pedal 8

Great to Great 4

Swell to Great 16

Swell to Great 8

Swell to Great 4

Choir to Great 16

Choir to Great 8

Choir to Great 4

Solo to Great 16

Solo to Great 8

Solo to Great 4

Echo to Great 16

Echo to Great 8

Echo to Great 4

Echo On/Great Off

Choir to Choir 16

Choir to Choir 4

Swell to Choir 16

Swell to Choir 8

Swell to Choir 4

Solo to Choir 16

Solo to Choir 8

Solo to Choir 4

Swell to Swell 16

Swell to Swell 4

Solo to Swell 8

Solo to Solo 16

Solo to Solo 4

Great to Solo 8

Swell to Solo 8

Echo to Solo 16

Echo to Solo 8

Echo to Solo 4

Echo On/Solo Off

All Swells to Swell Pedal

Accessories

10 General pistons (thumb and toe, originally 5, toe)

5 Great pistons (thumb)

7 Swell pistons (thumb)

5 Choir pistons (thumb)

3 Solo pistons (thumb)

3 Echo pistons (thumb)

5 Pedal pistons (thumb)

Sequencer Up (4 thumb, 1 toe)/Down (1 thumb)

300 memory levels

Memory + Up/ - Down (thumb, under Manual IV)

Great to Pedal reversible (thumb and toe)

Swell to Pedal reversible (toe)

Choir to Pedal reversible (thumb)

Solo to Pedal reversible (thumb)

Echo to Pedal reversible (thumb)

Swell to Great reversible (thumb)

Choir to Great reversible (thumb)

Solo to Great reversible (thumb)

Swell to Choir reversible (thumb)

Manual 16′ On/Off (thumb, with indicator)

Manual 2′ On/Off (thumb, with indicator)

General Cancellor (thumb)

Combination Adjustor (thumb)

Balanced Swell Expression Shoe

Balanced Choir Expression Shoe

Balanced Solo and Echo Expression Shoe

Balanced Crescendo Shoe (with indicator dial)

Full Organ Reversible (toe, with indicator)

Generator Indicator

Wind Indicator

The Casavant organ can be heard on a compact disc recorded by Andrew Schaeffer, St. John Cantius Presents The Nutcracker, available from Amazon and other resources. The disc includes movements from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Suite, along with selections of music appropriate for Christmas. Also available is St. John Cantius Presents Jonathan Rudy: Epic Music for Organ, similarly available from Amazon and other resources.

This year, a 32′ Contra Trombone extension of twelve full-length pipes will be added to the Pedal 16′ Trombone. A 16′ Bourdon of thirty-two pipes will be added to the Echo division to function as a pedal stop. The Bourdon pipes come from the Casavant organ that was built for Saint Paul of the Cross Catholic Church in Park Ridge, Illinois. Casavant will build the new components, and J. L. Weiler, Inc., will install everything onsite. Work is expected to be completed by August.

§

Saint John Cantius Catholic Church is once again the spiritual home to many Catholic families, most of whom drive a considerable distance on the same expressway that enticed so many parishioners to leave the parish a generation ago. The regenerated parish’s investment in music is exemplary, with multiple choirs presenting an auspicious schedule of selections. A full calendar of concert performances provides quality music to the community. Concert and theater organ programs are frequently presented. With over a century of record, the parish is poised for many more years serving the spiritual and cultural needs of the Chicago metropolitan community.

Sources

Koenig, Rev. Msgr. Harry C., STD, ed. A History of the Parishes of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, Archdiocese of Chicago, 1980, volume 1, pp. 487–491.

Lindberg, William Edward. The Pipe Organs of A. B. Felgemaker, Late Nineteenth Century American Organ Builder, dissertation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1976, p. 262.

McNamara, Denis R. Heavenly City: The Architectural Tradition of Catholic Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, Liturgical Training Publications, 2005, pp. 50–52.

Saint John Cantius: 1893–1993, Chicago, Illinois, Saint John Cantius Catholic Church, 1993.

Schnurr, Stephen J., and Dennis E. Northway. Pipe Organs of Chicago, Oak Park, Illinois, Chauncey Park Press, 2005, volume 1, pp. 116–118.

For further information: cantius.org/sacredmusic