Pipe Organs of La Grange, Illinois, and the Architectural Edifices That House Them

Part 3: Cossitt Avenue Elementary School and First Baptist Church

Stephen Schnurr

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

This article is a continuation of a feature in the August 2015 and June 2016 issues of The Diapason. This essay 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.

 

Cossitt Avenue Elementary School

Named for Franklin Cossitt, a founder of La Grange, the first school building was constructed in 1883 of native stone on the present property. The present edifice of brick with stone trim with Gothic influence dates from 1921. This building featured a tiled swimming pool and a kindergarten with a fountain, fireplace, and birds in cages. An auditorium was equipped with opera seating chairs, stage lighting, a projector and screen, elaborate decorative ceiling tiles, and, of course, a pipe organ.

The Skinner Organ Company of Boston, Massachusetts, was commissioned to install its Opus 405, a three-manual, 24-rank organ in chambers in the auditorium in 1923. This was an era when there was a nationwide effort to install pipe organs in public school auditoriums.

The organ was sold and removed in the 1980s and was eventually installed in Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Whiting, Indiana. There, the organ was doubled in size with pipework of various sources.

The contract for Opus 405 was signed on March 7, 1923, by the donor, Mrs. Ross H. (May B.) Kidston of La Grange, at a cost of $15,765. An addendum to the contract provided for installation of the Chimes and Harp at a cost of $1,760 ($800 for the Harp, $960 for the Chimes). Construction of the organ commenced on May 7, and pipework was completed on May 11. Of eight Skinner organs installed in public schools, this was the only one in an elementary school.

 

1923 Skinner Organ Company Opus 405

Great (Manual II)

8′ Diapason (scale 42, leathered, metal—73 pipes)

8′ Clarabella (73 pipes)

8′ Erzähler (“usual,” metal—73 pipes)

4′ Octave (“medium,” scale 58, metal—73 pipes)

8′ French Horn (“#2,” in Swell, metal—61 pipes)

Chimes (in Swell, 20 tubes)

Swell (Manual III, Enclosed)

16′ Bourdon (“common,” wood—73 pipes)

8′ Diapason (“big,” scale 43, metal—73 pipes)

8′ Gedeckt (“common,” wood—73 pipes)

8′ Salicional (“common,” scale 64, metal—73 pipes)

8′ Voix Celeste (“common,” scale 64, metal—73 pipes)

8′ Aeoline (scale 60, metal—73 pipes)

4′ Flute (“common,” harmonic from tenor C, metal—73 pipes)

III Mixture (mounted, metal, 15-19-22—183 pipes) 

8′ Cornopean (5″ scale, metal—73 pipes)

8′ Flügel Horn (“common,” metal—73 pipes)

8′ Vox Humana (“common,” mounted, metal—61 pipes)

Tremolo

Choir (Manual I, Enclosed)

8′ Concert Flute (“#1,” wood and metal—61 pipes)

8′ Dulciana (“little more stringy in treble,” scale 56, metal—61 pipes)

4′ Flute Harmonique (“common,” metal—61 pipes)

8′ Clarinet (“common,” metal—61 pipes)

Tremolo

Harp (TC—61 tubes)

Celesta (Harp)

Pedal

16′ Diapason (wood—44 pipes)

16′ Bourdon (“common,” wood—44 pipes)

16′ Echo Bourdon (Swell, 16′ Bourdon)

8′ Octave (extension, 16′ Diapason)

8′ Bourdon (extension, 16′ Bourdon)

8′ Still Gedeckt (Swell, 16′ Bourdon)

Chimes (Great, Chimes)

 

Couplers

Great to Pedal 8

Great to Pedal 4

Swell to Pedal 8

Swell to Pedal 4

Choir 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

Choir to Choir 16

Choir to Choir 4

Swell to Choir 8

Swell to Swell 16

Swell to Swell 4

 

Accessories

4 Great pistons (thumb)

6 Swell pistons (thumb)

3 Choir pistons (thumb)

4 Pedal pistons (toe)

General Cancel (thumb)

Pedal to Great Manual Combination on/off (thumb)

Pedal to Swell Manual Combination on/off (thumb)

Pedal to Choir Manual Combination on/off (thumb)

Great to Pedal reversible (toe)

Balanced Swell expression shoe

Balanced Choir expression shoe

Balanced Crescendo shoe (with indicator light)

Sforzando reversible (toe, with indicator light)

 

First Baptist Church

The First Baptist Church of La Grange was founded in 1884 during a meeting in the residence of Myron T. Baldwin. The first pastor was the Reverend Joshua E. Ambrose. The cornerstone of the first frame church was laid in 1886. Additions were made to the building in 1893 and 1906.

The congregation laid the cornerstone for its present edifice in 1924. The building is of Greendale brick with Bedford stone trim of English Gothic influence. Construction cost was about $60,000. In 1947, a stained glass window was installed above the chancel, called the “Laborers with Christ” window. It is now framed by sections of the present pipe organ.

The original church was outfitted for other uses and retained until it was demolished in 1948 to make way for a 1950 addition that featured a chapel, fellowship hall, classrooms, and kitchen, at a cost of $125,000. The present education and administration building was dedicated in 1964.

The origins of the first pipe organ for this congregation are not known. It may have been a second-hand instrument by M. P. Möller of Hagerstown, Maryland. At some point, likely in the 1960s, some alterations were made to the instrument, including addition of a Positiv division. By 1973, the instrument, cobbled together of many disparate parts, was practically unplayable.

The present instrument was built by the Berghaus Organ Company of Bellwood, Illinois, between 1976 and 1978, retaining the Möller console, the Positiv division, two ranks in the Pedal division, the blower, and a few other parts. New slider chests were provided for the Swell, Great, and Pedal divisions. The Great, Positiv, and Pedal divisions are visible above the chancel floor, with the Great to the left, the Positiv in the center, and the Pedal to the right. The Swell division is in a chamber to the right. Wind pressure is 21⁄4 inches. The completed organ was dedicated in service on Sunday, November 19, 1978. In 2006, the combination action was replaced by a Peterson ICS-4000 system.

 

Berghaus Organ Company

Great (Manual II)

8′ Principal (5 zinc basses, remainder 50% tin—61 pipes)

8′ Gedackt (wood—61 pipes)

4′ Octave (5 zinc basses, remainder spotted metal—61 pipes)

4′ Waldflöte (5 zinc basses, remainder spotted metal—61 pipes)

2′ Spitzflöte (spotted metal—61 pipes)

IV Mixture (spotted metal—244 pipes)

8′ Trumpet (spotted metal—61 pipes)

Great 16

Great Unison Off

Great 4

8′ Solo Trumpet (prepared)

Chimes (from tenor A—21 tubes)

Positiv (Manual I)

8′ Holz Gedackt (wood—61 pipes)

4′ Koppelflöte (spotted metal—61 pipes)

2′ Klein Principal (spotted metal—61 pipes)

11⁄3′ Quinte (from 2′ Klein Principal)

1′ Octave (from 2′ Klein Principal)

8′ Holzregal (mahogany—61 pipes)

Tremolo

Positiv 16

Positiv Unison Off

Positiv 4

8′ Solo Trumpet (prepared)

Zimbelstern

Swell (Manual III, enclosed)

8′ Rohrflöte (12 zinc basses, remainder spotted metal—61 pipes)

8′ Gemshorn (12 zinc basses, remainder spotted metal—61 pipes)

8′ Celeste (from tenor C, spotted metal—49 pipes)

4′ Principal (5 zinc basses, remainder spotted metal—61 pipes)

4′ Spillflöte (5 zinc basses, remainder spotted metal—61 pipes)

22⁄3′ Nasat (spotted metal—61 pipes)

2′ Blockflöte (spotted metal—61 pipes)

13⁄5′ Terz (breaks at C#5, spotted metal—61 pipes)

IV Scharf (spotted metal—244 pipes)

16′ Holzdulzian (mahogany—61 pipes)

8′ Schalmei (spotted metal—61 pipes)

Tremolo

Swell 16

Swell Unison Off

Swell 4

8′ Solo Trumpet (prepared)

Choir (Manual I, prepared)

8′ Holzflöte

8′ Viole

8′ Viole Celeste

4′ Fugara

4′ Traversflöte

2′ Zauberflöte

II Sesquialtera

8′ Trumpet

8′ Vox Humana

Tremolo

Echo (prepared)

8′ Metalgedackt

4′ Flachflöte

2′ Klein Principal

II Rauschquinte

Pedal

32′ Resultant (from 16′ Subbass)

16′ Principal (prepared)

16′ Subbass (wood—32 pipes)

8′ Octave (12 zinc basses, remainder spotted metal—32 pipes)

8′ Gedackt (wood—32 pipes)

4′ Choralbass (5 zinc basses, remainder spotted metal—32 pipes)

III Mixture (spotted metal—96 pipes)

16′ Fagott (7 zinc basses, remainder spotted metal—32 pipes)

4′ Rohrschalmei (brass and spotted metal—32 pipes)

 

Inter-divisional Couplers

Great to Pedal 8

Great to Pedal 4

Swell to Pedal 8

Swell to Pedal 4

Positiv to Pedal 8

Choir to Pedal 8

Choir to Pedal 4

Swell to Great 16

Swell to Great 8

Swell to Great 4

Positiv to Great 16

Positiv to Great 8

Positiv to Great 4

Choir to Great 16

Choir to Great 8

Choir to Great 4

Echo to Great 8

Swell to Positiv 16

Swell to Positiv 8

Swell to Positiv 4

Echo to Positiv 8

Echo to Swell 8

 

Accessories

12 General pistons (thumb and toe)

6 Great pistons (thumb)

6 Swell pistons (thumb)

6 Positiv and Choir pistons (thumb)

3 Echo pistons (thumb)

4 Pedal pistons (thumb)

Great to Pedal reversible (thumb and toe)

Swell to Pedal reversible (thumb)

Choir to Pedal reversible (thumb)

Cancel (thumb)

Set (thumb)

Chimes dial (5 volumes and off)

Zimbelstern dials: Delay, Speed, Volume

Auto Pedal (thumb)

Auto Solo (thumb)

Balanced Swell expression shoe

Balanced Choir expression shoe

Balanced Echo expression shoe

Balanced Crescendo shoe (green indicator light)

Sfz. Reversible (thumb and toe, with red indicator light)

Wind indicator (yellow light)

Phillip K. Parkey

President and Tonal Director, Parkey OrganBuilders

Parkey OrganBuilders, 

Norcross, Georgia

Opus 16

First United Methodist Church, Dalton, Georgia

First United Methodist Church of Dalton, Georgia, has been a long time client of Parkey OrganBuilders. In the years leading up to the sanctuary renovation, we had the privilege of working with Peter Infanger, the church’s music director and organist, in the care of the church’s pipe organ. Dalton First United Methodist has a long-standing reputation of excellent music, and many years were spent planning the renovation of the sanctuary to support this fine music program.

In the early 1990s the church increased the facility to add a new fellowship hall, kitchen, and a new chapel. During that growth phase, the church added an extension to the main sanctuary with plans to expand the choir space. The choir programs have grown over the years, and the choir loft space, which was located between the two organ chambers at the time, drastically hindered growth and expansion of the choir. Peter Infanger worked with the Trustees and building committee to highlight the need and benefits of expanding the choir loft. The space limitations, coupled with the very dated appearance of the 1950s sanctuary, led to the renovation that began in 2014. Many ideas were discussed, and other organ builders were interviewed. Ultimately the organ committee voted unanimously to award the contract for the organ to our firm.

With the need to enlarge the choir space, we recommended moving the organ from side chambers and an exposed division to a much more traditional chambered installation with case and façades. The organ committee agreed with our recommendations. The renovation committee also responded favorably to the recommendation of improved acoustics aided by reflective surfaces and hardwood and tile floors where possible.  

Just before the renovation began, Peter Infanger announced his retirement. Much of the groundwork had been carefully put in place by him. During the interim period, John Wigal of Chattanooga, Tennessee, was selected as the organ consultant to guide the organ committee through the remaining planning process. In mid 2015, Jeff Harbin was selected as the new music director and organist.

Mr. Harbin has worked closely with our firm to bring this project to completion. His input has been valuable and very helpful.  

The organ contains pipework from the previous instrument with new pipework for additions and changes. The final specification comprises 50 ranks over 48 speaking stops. The organ has been designed as a support for service playing and hymns under Jeff Harbin’s guidance.

The configuration of the instrument places the organ on the central axis of the room to provide direct tonal egress to the sanctuary. The organ contains two freestanding expression enclosures of our standard design for the Choir and Swell divisions. The Pedal division is behind the left façade, with the Swell division located immediately behind it. The unenclosed Great is located behind the right façade, and the Choir is placed behind the Great. The façade is composed of the Pedal 16′ Principal, Pedal 8′ Octave, and Great 8′ Principal basses.

The new organ is placed on electro-pneumatic slider windchests with limited unified and duplex stops on electro-pneumatic unit windchests. Winding was provided via single-rise reservoirs with tunable concussion winkers. The new windchests have greatly improved wind supply for the organ pipes, allowing our staff to voice for a warm, rich chorus. The stratospheric mixture complement was revised. The Scharf originally located in the Swell was relocated to the Choir. A new IV Plein Jeu was installed in the Swell.  

Our choice and design for slider windchests and single-rise reservoirs impart a clarity, promptness, and gentle wind flexibility in the organ. These attributes allow the personality of the instrument to instill a musical sense to the sound. Wind, expression boxes, and accurate well-terraced voicing become the palette for the musician to lead services and congregational singing.

The Swell flute chorus was finished out with a 4′ Nachthorn to complete the option of a flute-based Cornet. The strings of this division were broadened to complement a larger 8′ Bourdon installed to improve the foundation of the Swell. The 4′ Principal was rescaled to accommodate the increased foundation. Finally, an 8′ Hautbois was added.

The Great division was revised with several changes. The 16′ Gemshorn was extended to provide an 8′. The original installation had relied heavily on Haskelled bass pipes due to limited chamber space. This, coupled with limited chamber openings, had always hampered the organ for an adequate bass line. The Great Principal was also rescaled and re-voiced for the changes and improvements to the room. Additional changes included replacing the 8′ flute with a Rohrflöte and adding a 4′ Spitzflöte.

The Choir division in the previous organ resembled more of an enclosed Positiv, as was common in the 1970s and 80s. Changes here included addition of an 8′ Geigen Prinzipal, revoicing the remaining 4′ and 2′, and balancing the III Scharf for a functional enclosed Principal chorus for choir accompaniment. The 8′ Holzgedeckt was rescaled and revoiced to provide a more fulfilling tone. Some articulation was retained for character, but it was still greatly refined.

The original Pedal division was complete with a nice array of independent stops. However, it, too, was compromised by providing the 16′ Principal with Haskelled pipes in the lowest octave and period voicing for the rank’s pipework. The new installation includes full-length pipes with the lowest five notes of the Principal and Gemshorn residing on the back wall for maximum bass reflection.  

The chamber construction was specified in the design details we provided. Attention was given to the density of wall structures to provide the best reflective surfaces possible. We worked with the architect to design the ceiling of the chamber to match the sanctuary ceiling in an effort to avoid the “arch” effect often encountered with organ chambers. By eliminating the overhang and wall extensions around the tone opening often found with chambers, egress is greatly improved.

The enhancements included a smooth reflective ceiling replacing the 1950s “fuzzy” acoustical surface. The choir loft is floored in ceramic tile with carpet limited to just the walkways beside the pews.  

The results have provided optimal egress and balance for the organ. Jeff Harbin noted that stops previously unusable on the old organ were now functional. Congregation and choir singing reflected an immediate improvement. The room has a warm, clean, and exciting sound matching the new visual look.

The organ was first heard for the Smiley Gregg concert in late August. Mr. Gregg was a long time member of First United Methodist and instrumental in promoting the music program of the church. The Smiley Gregg concerts have been a long-standing tradition for Dalton First United Methodist as a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity. I have personally attended several of these over the years and remain impressed with their impact on the local community.

We are pleased to have been part of this renovation project and to provide the organ for the renewed sanctuary. Our thanks go to Peter Infanger, John Wigal, and Jeff Harbin for their cooperation and support for this project. I also thank our own staff for their efforts in creating a fine instrument for future generations.

—Phillip K. Parkey  

President and Tonal Director

Parkey OrganBuilders

 

Parkey OrganBuilders Staff for Opus 16

Phillip K. Parkey – president and tonal director

Michael Morris – case designer and engineering

Fred Bahr – tonal work and voicing

Philip Read – shop supervisor and assembly

Johan Nix – master woodworker, construction and assembly

Kurtis Robinson – CNC operator, construction and assembly

Chris Bowman – tonal work, voicing, installation

Otilia Gamboa – winchest construction, wiring

Matthew Edwards – assembly and installation

Jonathan Meeks – office manager

Keith Williamson – sales and scheduling

 

Design consultation by:

Jeff Harbin – music director and organist, Dalton First United Methodist Church, Dalton, Georgia

John Wigal – organ consultant, Church of the Good Shepherd, Lookout Mountain, Tennessee

 

GREAT (Unenclosed)

16′ Gemshorn 61 pipes 

8′ Principal 61 pipes 

8′ Gemshorn (ext) 12 pipes 

8′ Rohrflöte 61 pipes

4′ Octave 61 pipes 

4′ Spitzflöte 61 pipes 

2′ Fifteenth 61 pipes 

IV Fourniture 244 pipes 

III Cymbal 183 pipes

8′ Festival Trumpet (Choir) 

Chimes (21 notes)

    (located in Choir expression box)

Great Unison Off

MIDI on Great

 

SWELL (Enclosed)

8′ Bourdon 61 pipes

8′ Viola 61 pipes 

8′ Viola Celeste (TC) 49 pipes 

4′ Principal 61 pipes 

4′ Nachthorn 61 pipes 

22⁄3′ Nazard 61 pipes 

2′ Blockflöte 61 pipes 

13⁄5′ Tierce 61 pipes 

IV Plein Jeu 244 pipes 

16′ Basson 61 pipes 

8′ Trompette 61 pipes 

8′ Hautbois 61 pipes 

4′ Rohr Schalmei 61 pipes 

Tremulant

Swell 16

Swell Unison Off

Swell 4

MIDI On Swell

CHOIR (Enclosed)

8′ Geigen Prinzipal 61 pipes 

8′ Holzgedeckt 61 pipes  

8′ Erzähler 61 pipes 

8′ Erzähler Celeste (TC) 49 pipes 

4′ Spitz Prinzipal 61 pipes 

4′ Waldflöte 61 pipes 

2′ Klein Octav 61 pipes 

11⁄3′ Quint 61 pipes 

III Scharf 183 pipes 

8′ Krummhorn 61 pipes 

Tremulant

8′ Festival Trumpet 61 pipes 

Zimbelstern

Choir 16

Choir Unison Off

Choir 4

MIDI on Choir

PEDAL

32′ Resultant (derived)* 

16′ Principal 32 pipes 

16′ Subbass 32 pipes 

16′ Gemshorn (Great)

8′ Octave 32 pipes 

8′ Bourdon (ext) 12 pipes 

8′ Gemshorn (Great) 

4′ Choral Bass 32 pipes 

4′ Flöte (ext) 12 pipes 

III Mixture 96 pipes 

IV Harmonics (derived) 

16′ Bombarde 32 pipes 

16′ Basson (Swell)

8′ Trompette (ext) 12 pipes 

4′ Krummhorn (Choir)

8′ Festival Trumpet (Choir)

MIDI on Pedal

 

COUPLERS

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

 

Great to Pedal 8

Swell to Pedal 8

Swell to Pedal 4

Choir to Pedal 8

Choir to Pedal 4

 

Great/Choir Transfer

 

COMBINATION SYSTEM

(300 Levels of Memory)

12 General Pistons – thumb and toe

8 Divisional Pistons – thumb for manuals; thumb and toe for Pedal

Swell to Pedal Reversible – thumb and toe

Great to Pedal Reversible – thumb and toe

Choir to Pedal Reversible – thumb and toe

Swell to Great Reversible – thumb only

Choir to Great Reversible – thumb only

Sforzando Reversible – thumb and toe 

Zimbelstern Reversible – thumb and toe

 

50 ranks, 2,842 pipes

 

* (Smart Resultant = Drawn on Subbass until 16′ Principal is engaged and then revert to resultant derived from Principal)

Keith Williams

Buzard Pipe Organ Builders, Champaign, Illinois

Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, Charleston, South Carolina

1963 Noehren organ, St.
Richard of Chichester Episcopal Church, Chicago, Illinois

Robert Noehren (1910–2002) was an influential performer, recording artist, and teacher. He was for many years university organist and head of the organ department at the University of Michigan. Not satisfied with the work of contemporary American Neo-Baroque organbuilders, he founded his own enterprise, which built a total of 21 organs between 1954 and 1978. Noehren described his tonal style as an attempt to meld North German (Schnitger) principals with French classic and romantic reeds (Clicquot and Cavaille-Coll.)

Noehren himself performed the dedication recitals on his organ at St. Richard of Chichester Episcopal Church in Chicago, Illinois, on December 29, 1963. As originally installed, it had 1,885 pipes. Noehren also made recordings of the organ following its completion, which afford us insight into Noehren’s tonal philosophy and playing style on his own instrument. 

The organ remained basically unchanged over its 50 years at St. Richard’s. In 1996 the original electro-mechanical relay and setter board combination action were replaced with solid state equipment. At the same time a Zimbelstern was added and a 32’ Resultant stop was added to the Pedal, drawn from the original Subbass.

The instrument was installed above the gallery of the church, hanging from the ceiling on two beams in an exposed position. The Swell was enclosed at the rear of the beams, with the large, shared Great-Positiv windchest in front (see photograph below). The Pedal division was on two chests on the floor at the rear of the balcony.

By 2014 the congregation’s dynamic has changed, and they no longer required their organ and wished to find an appropriate new home for it. Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Charleston, South Carolina, was in the market for an organ for their new sanctuary building and decided that the available Noehren organ would suit their needs admirably. Holy Spirit purchased the instrument and contracted with Buzard Pipe Organ Builders to remove and rebuild the organ for their new church.

The new installation required an entirely new layout for the organ, as well as casework sympathetic to the beautiful new sanctuary. The new casework carries all the new bass pipes of the Great and Pedal principals, replacing collapsed pipes that were formerly shared between both these stops. The organ was redesigned internally with a new layout, new floor and building frames, new Swell box, and a new and greatly augmented wind system and new blower.

The action in the organ is electro-mechanical. Originally the pipe valves were of the Reisner “floating valve” type patented by Roger Miles and George Gress. Despite the claim made by some that this kind of action never wears out, the valves in this organ were no longer reliable after 50 years. We have replaced all of the actions with new magnets and rewired the entire organ. This also enabled us to provide larger toe holes to properly wind bass pipes.

A peculiarity of Noehren’s original design was a sharing of low octaves throughout the instrument. For example, the bottom octave (1–12) of the Great 4′ Octave borrowed the tenor octave (13–24) of the 8′ Principal. The cumulative effect of these compromises (which Noehren felt were justified because they reduced cost and saved space) was a weakening of tone throughout the instrument’s lower range. We undertook to provide additional pipework in almost all cases to correct these deficiencies, and so new, independent bottom octaves have been provided for the Great 4′ Octave, 4′ Spitzfloete, and 2′ Octave, as well as the Positiv 8′ Gedeckt and 2′ Principal. The Swell flutes have retained the old system of borrowing, due to space limitations; however, their blend and balance have been carefully refined.

The organ has gained a new 4′ Koppel Flute in the Positiv; a new, large-scaled Subbass rank in the Pedal, and new Chimes. A new Oboe rank, specially designed with a Baroque influence, replaces the original Swell Trompette. This Oboe has an interesting character, somewhere between an Oboe and an English horn. It can both color the flues in the Swell in combinations, as well as providing an excellent solo sound.

Some rescaling was undertaken, as well as numerous repairs and very careful regulation of all the pipework, especially removing inconsistencies in the flue voicing. The Cromhorne and Trumpet ranks were rebuilt for speech and tuning stability. The Mixture stops, originally each of five (!) ranks, were reconfigured. The Swell Plein Jeu was lowered significantly in pitch and now cleverly works as both the expected “crown” of the division as well as providing a much more useful substitute principal chorus in combination with the Swell foundations.

Installation of the organ was completed in autumn of 2016, the final stage of which was a comprehensive tonal finishing of the organ in the superb and lively acoustic of the new church. The end result is a still-bright but much warmer sound, which fills the handsome new sanctuary admirably. The organ can lead the congregation in hymns and liturgy, accompany choral anthems, and serve as a convincing vehicle for a wide range of solo organ repertoire. The sound of the instrument is by no means typical of the sound of a new Buzard instrument, but we are proud to have been able to make this instrument much more versatile and put it into as-new condition for the Holy Spirit congregation. 

The organ was dedicated in a worship service and recital by Stephen Buzard on Sunday, February 12. A dinner and introduction to the organ was held at the church for the local American Guild of Organists chapter the following evening.

The organ as rebuilt comprises 26 independent stops, 37 ranks, and 1,853 pipes.

—Keith Williams

 

Buzard staff that were involved in the Holy Spirit project included:

John-Paul Buzard, President & Artistic Director

Charles Eames, Vice-President & General Manager

Brian Davis, Tonal Director

Keith Williams, Service Director

David Brown, Service Foreman

Shane Rhoades, Production Department Foreman

Mark Dirksen, Business Manager

Riley Ano, Tonal Assistant

Trevor Dodd, Service Technician

Viktoria Franken, Tonal Associate

Christopher Goodnight, Cabinetmaker

Max Konrad, Service Technician

Michael Meyer, Cabinetmaker

Dennis Northway, Service & Sales Associate

Jeremy Taylor, Cabinetmaker

Stuart Weber, Senior Service Technician

John Wiegand, Service Technician

 

Bibliography

Schnurr, Stephen J., Jr., and Dennis E. Northway. Pipe Organs of Chicago, Volume II. Oak Park, IL, Chauncey Park Press, 2009, pp. 109–111.

Houghton, Richard. “The Organs of Robert Noehren—Simplicity, practicality and economy.” Journal of American Organbuilding, Vol. 10, No. 3 (September 2015), pp. 8–14.

 

Original (1963) stoplist

GREAT (21⁄2″ w.p.)

16′ Quintadena (TC) 44

8′ Principal (1–12 Pedal) 44

8′ Rohrfloete 56

4′ Octave (1–12 from 8′) 44 

4′ Spitzfloete (1–12 from 8′) 44 

22⁄3′ Nasat (TC, Positiv Larigot)

2′ Octave (1–12 from 4′) 44

2′ Spillfloete (1–12 from Fl 4′) 44 

13⁄5′ Terz (TG) 37

III–V Mixture 244

16′ Dulzian (TC, Pos. Cromhorne) 

8′ Trumpet 56

SWELL (21⁄2″ w.p.)

8′ Bourdon 56

8′ Gamba 56

8′ Voix Celeste (TC) 44

4′ Flute Octaviante (1–12 Bdn) 44 

2′ Octavin (ext 4′) 12 

III–V Plein Jeu 244

8′ Trompette 56

4′ Clairon (ext) 12

Tremulant 

POSITIV (21⁄2″ w.p.)

8′ Gedeckt (1–12 Gt Rohrfloete) 44 

4′ Rohrfloete (Gt) 12

2′ Principal 56

11⁄3′ Larigot 56 

III–V Scharff 244

8′ Cromhorne 56

PEDAL (21⁄2″ w.p.)

16′ Subbass 32

8′ Principal 32

4′ Octave 32

2′ Octave (ext) 12

V Mixture 128

16′ Posaune (ext) 12

8′ Trumpet (Gt)

4′ Trumpet (Gt) 

 

Couplers

Sw/Gt

Pos/Gt

Sw/Pos

Sw/Gt 16

Gt/Ped

Pos/Ped

Sw/Ped

 

Setterboard pistons 1–4 all divisions and generals

 

34 stops

42 ranks

1,885 pipes

 

2017 stoplist

GREAT (21⁄2″ w.p.)

16′ Quintade (rescaled, in Sw box) 56 

8′ Principal (1–24 new, 1–21 façade) 56

8′ Rohrfloete 56

4′ Octave (1–12 new) 56

4′ Spitzfloete (1–12 new) 68

22⁄3′ Nasat (TC, Positiv Larigot)

2′ Octave (1–12 new) 56

2′ Spillfloete (ext)

13⁄5′ Terz (TG) 37

IV Mixture (11⁄3′) 224

16′ Dulzian (TC, Pos. Cromorne)

8′ Trumpet 56

SWELL (3″ w.p.)

8′ Bourdon 56

8′ Gamba 56

8′ Voix Celeste (TC) 44

4′ Flute Octaviante (1–12 Bdn) 56

2′ Octavin (ext 4′)

IV Plein Jeu 224

8′ Oboe (new) 68

4′ Clairon (ext)

Tremulant

POSITIV (21⁄2″ w.p.)

8′ Gedeckt (1–12 new) 56

4′ Floete (new, wood & metal) 56

2′ Principal  56

11⁄3′ Larigot 56

III Scharf 168

8′ Cromorne 56

Zimbelstern

Chimes (new)

PEDAL (21⁄2″ w.p., 4″ Subbass)

32′ Resultant (Subbass & Quintade)

16′ Subbass (new, larger scale) 32

16′ Quintade (Gt)

8′ Principal (1–21 new in façade) 32

8′ Quintade (Gt)

4′ Octave 44

2′ Octave (ext)

IV Mixture 128

16′ Posaune (ext, 1–12 1/2-length) 12

8′ Trumpet (Gt)

4′ Trumpet (Gt)

 

Couplers

Great to Pedal

Swell to Pedal

Positiv to Pedal

Swell to Great 16

Swell to Great

Positiv to Great

Swell to Positiv

 

Accessories

General Cancel (thumb)

Combination adjuster (thumb)

Memory Lock (key)

Balanced Swell expression shoe

Zimbelstern volume adjustment knob

 

26 independent stops

37 ranks

1,853 pipes

Berghaus Pipe Organ Builders, Bellwood, Illinois

Zion Lutheran Church (WELS), Columbus, Wisconsin

Located about twenty miles northeast of Madison, Zion Lutheran Church (WELS) is home to a rejuvenated instrument that originated from a blend of old and new ideas and materials. Consultant Wayne Wagner, director of music Matt Kanzenbach, and the builder agreed to retain as much of the Wangerin organ from the old church as possible, while expanding the stoplist in order to include new tonal possibilities that the instrument was missing. 

Selected Wangearin pipework, along with vintage ranks from Berghaus’s collection and new pipes, yielded a stoplist of 34 stops, 24 ranks, and 1,727 pipes over two manuals and pedal. Selected chests from the Wangerin organ were retained, restored, and integrated with new chestwork. The well-crafted and durable Wangerin pipework was cleaned, repaired, and revoiced. Certain ranks were relocated to better suit the stoplist and to allow for new pipes to take their place.

The entire instrument speaks directly across the sanctuary from its position above the choir. The main central division is the Swell, with a set of hardwood expression shutters, controlled by a 16-stage electric motor. It contains most of the original Wangerin diapason chorus, along with strings, flutes, and reeds. New flue additions include a 2′ metal flute, a 11⁄3′ Larigot, and a brilliant Scharf mixture. An English Oboe and French Clarion are new reed additions that provide additional color and brilliance. 

Divided on either side of the Swell box, the newly enhanced Great is founded on an entirely new chorus, complete with mutations and mixture. Retained wood flutes (both stopped and open) and dulcianas allow for softer accompaniments and solo textures. A new 8′ Principal leads the division with natural, singing sound, and its polished pipes form part of the façade. 

The Pedal division is a combination of Wangerin stops along with a new 8′ Principal stop that is extended to 4′ pitch. The large-scale Trumpet in the Swell is also extended 12 notes to 16′ pitch for tutti textures. The Pedal has variety of voices that can effectively balance any manual combination.

All new chests and winding were constructed of poplar, and the handsome custom casework is of rift-cut red oak. A new blower encased in the organ gives quiet, steady, and dependable wind to the entire instrument. 

A new combination action by Peterson Electro-Musical Products is installed in the original console, which was completely stripped and refinished. The ICS-4000 control system gives the organist multiple memory levels, piston sequencing, and record/playback settings. 

Completed in October 2015, the finished instrument makes a bold visual and musical statement, and it is capable of leading hymns and liturgy of the church as well as performing various schools of repertoire. On October 25, the organ was dedicated and first used in worship. A recital featuring Wayne Wagner and various Zion musicians was performed that afternoon.

—Jonathan Oblander, Tonal Director

 

Stephen Schnurr

Stephen Schnurr is editor and publisher of The Diapason and director of music for St. Paul Catholic Church, Valparaiso, Indiana. His most recent book, Organs of Oberlin, was published in 2013 by Chauncey Park Press (www.organsofoberlin.com). He has authored several other books and journal articles, principally on pipe organ history in the Great Lakes region.

This article is a continuation of a feature in the August 2015, June 2016, and July 2017 issues of The Diapason. This essay 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 Convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph in La Grange Park, Illinois, is the home of the Sisters of St. Joseph, established on this site on October 9, 1899, by Mother Stanislaus Leary. Mother Leary had been superior of her order in Kansas and came to Chicago to seek medical help as her health was failing. She was accompanied by others of the order. The pastor of nearby St. Francis Xavier Church, La Grange, invited the sisters to settle in the relatively new suburb.

The sisters opened a school for girls in September 1900. Some of the students were boarders. Soon, the sisters would open another school for boys. Nazareth Academy, now co-educational, is still located on the La Grange Park motherhouse campus.

On July 14, 1900, the cornerstone of a motherhouse and chapel was laid. The chapel contained an organ built in 1929 by M. P. Möller of Hagerstown, Maryland, Opus 5555, a two-manual, eight-rank instrument. The contract was dated March 20 of that year, with a projected completion date of June 1. Cost was $3,200.00, with one-third due upon completion, one-third in two equal payments at four and eight months thereafter, without interest. The electro-pneumatic action organ had a detached console of walnut, with “Gold Bronze” façade pipes and grille. Stop control was by tablets above the upper manual. Wind pressure was 5 inches. Pitch was specified at A=440 Hz. The Chicago agent for Möller, and the installer of the organ, was Ford & Reynolds.

 

1929 M. P. MЪller Opus 5555

GREAT (Manual I)

8′ Open Diapason (scale 44, wood 

    basses, 73 pipes) 

8′ Dulciana (scale 56, metal, 73 pipes)

8′ Melodia (wood, 73 pipes) 

4′ Flute (ext, 8′ Melodia)

Chimes (prepared)

SWELL (Manual II, enclosed)

16′ Bourdon (wood and metal, 97 pipes)

8′ Stopped Diapason (ext, 16′

    Bourdon)

8′ Salicional (scale 60, metal, 73 pipes)

8′ Dolce (fr Great, 8′ Dulciana) 

8′ Voix Celeste (TC, scale 62, metal, 61 

    pipes)

4′ Flute d’Amour (ext, 16′ Bourdon)

22⁄3′ Nazard (ext, 16′ Bourdon)

2′ Flautino (ext, 16′ Bourdon)

8′ Oboe Horn (metal, 73 pipes)

1 blank tablet

PEDAL

16′ Sub Bass (“big scale”, stopped wood, 

    32 pipes)

16′ Lieblich Gedeckt (fr Swell, 16′

    Bourdon)

 

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

 

Mechanicals

Tremulant

Crescendo Indicator by light

 

Adjustable combinations

3 Great and Pedal

3 Swell and Pedal

 

Pedal movements

Great to Pedal Reversible

Balanced Swell Pedal

Grand Crescendo Pedal

 

The present chapel of strikingly modern design was built in 1967 and 1968 to the designs of John Voosen of Chicago. The motherhouse and chapel were dedicated on Sunday, September 29, 1968. Sister Mary Victoria Rokos, SSJ (later known as Sister Emily), convent organist, was charged with developing plans for a new organ. She sought the advice of persons at Northwestern University of Evanston. The Möller organ was sold and removed.

The result was a recommendation of the Noack Organ Company of Georgetown, Massachusetts, to build a new two-manual, 20-stop, 31-rank organ of mechanical key and stop action in a free-standing case in an elevated balcony at the rear of the nave. A landmark design for the neo-classical organ revival movement in the Chicago metropolitan area, the organ was to cost what was then a large sum of money, $40,000.

The convent purchased a smaller Noack organ as a temporary instrument until the larger organ was completed, at which time the smaller organ was removed to the Academy on the campus. This organ has since been relocated elsewhere. Opus 42 was inaugurated in recital by James Leland on July 14, 1968. The one-manual, mechanical-action organ was provided with a pull-down pedal. 

 

1968 Noack Organ Company
Opus 42

MANUAL

8′ Gedackt (4 stopped wood basses, 

    remainder metal, 56 pipes)

4′ Stopped Flute (12 open trebles, 

    metal, 56 pipes)

2′ Principal (metal, 56 pipes)

 

In the summer of 1969, Noack installed its Opus 44, blessed on August 15. The Positive is in Brustwerk position, with Great above and Pedal to the sides. A dedication recital was presented by Benn Gibson on November 9.

 

1969 Noack Organ Company
Opus 44

GREAT (Manual I)

8′ Principal (in façade, 56 pipes)

8′ Chimney Flute (56 pipes)

4′ Octave (56 pipes)

4′ Spielflöte (56 pipes)

2′ Nachthorn (56 pipes)

V–VI Mixture (11⁄3′, 312 pipes)

8′ Trumpet (56 pipes)

POSITIVE (Manual II)

8′ Gedackt (56 pipes)

4′ Koppelflöte (56 pipes)

2′ Principal (in façade, 56 pipes)

11⁄3′ Quinte (56 pipes)

II Sesquialtera (122 pipes)

III Cymbal (1⁄2′, 168 pipes)

8′ Krummhorn (56 pipes)

PEDAL

16′ Subbass (32 pipes)

8′ Principal (in façade, 32 pipes)

8′ Gedackt (32 pipes)

4′ Choral Bass (32 pipes)

IV Mixture (22⁄3′, 128 pipes)

16′ Bassoon (32 pipes)

 

Couplers (toe lever, hitch-down)

Great to Pedal

Positive to Pedal

Positive to Great

Accessory

Tremulant (toe lever, hitch-down)

 

Opus 44 was the first permanent installation of a modern tracker organ in a Catholic institution in the Archdiocese of Chicago. In its early years, it was a frequently used recital instrument. Performers have included Marie-Claire Alain, Christa Rakich, David Hurd, and Gustav Leonhardt.

Fabry Inc. Pipe Organ Builders,

Antioch, Illinois

First Church of Christ, Scientist,

Libertyville, Illinois

Fabry, Inc., was contracted to rebuild and install this instrument in the very small balcony of this church nave. The organ was built by M. P. Möller as their Opus 8685 for a small church outside Madison, Wisconsin. The project included installing a Peterson Duo Set Single Board combination action, a diode matrix relay, electric shutter action, furnishing a totally new finished cabinet enclosure with shutters on the front and side, and replacing all cloth-covered wiring. This instrument originally contained three ranks; however, the church decided to add an 8′ Trompette, bringing the instrument to a total of four ranks. The original Möller instrument never had the 12 bass pipes of its 8′ Principal rank. Due to space limitations, the bottom octave of the 8′ Principal was supplied by a Peterson digital voice. The project was headed by Adrienne Tindall.

GREAT (enclosed)

  8′ Principal (digital 1–12, 73 pipes)

8′ Gedeckt (97 pipes) 8′ Viola (73 pipes) 4′ Principal (ext 8′ Principal)

4′ Gedeckt (extension 8′ Gedeckt)

4′ Viola (ext 8′ Viola)

22⁄3′ Principal (ext 8′ Principal)

2′ Principal (ext 8′ Principal)

8′ Trompette (73 pipes)

4′ Trompette (ext 8′ Trompette)

Swell to Great

Pedal to Great

SWELL (enclosed)

8′ Gedeckt (fr Gt 8′ Gedeckt)

8′ Viola (fr Gt 8′ Viola)

4′ Gedeckt (fr Gt 8′ Gedeckt)

4′ Viola (fr Gt 8′ Viola)

22⁄3′ Gedeckt (ext Gt 8′ Gedeckt)

2′ Gedeckt (ext Gt 8′ Gedeckt)

13⁄5′ Viola (ext Gt 8′ Viola)

11⁄3′ Larigot (ext Gt 8′ Viola)

8′ Trompette (fr Gt 8′ Trompette)

4′ Trompette (fr Gt 8′ Trompette)

Tremolo

PEDAL (enclosed)

32′ Resultant (wired fr Gt 8′ Gedeckt)

16′ Gedeckt (ext Gt 8′ Gedeckt)

8′ Gedeckt (fr Gt 8′ Gedeckt)

8′ Viola (fr Gt 8′ Viola)

51⁄3′ Gedeckt (fr Gt 8′ Gedeckt)

4′ Principal (fr Gt 8′ Principal)

4′ Gedeckt (ext Gt 8′ Gedeckt)

16′ Trompette (wired resultant)

8′ Trompette (fr Gt 8′ Trompette)

4′ Clarion (fr Gt 8′ Trompette) 

 

10 General pistons (thumb and toe)

General Cancel (thumb)

Combination adjuster (thumb)

Tutti (thumb and toe, with indicator)

Balanced expression shoe

Balanced Crescendo shoe (with indicator)

 

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

Union Grove, Wisconsin

This instrument was built by the Wicks Organ Company of Highland, Illinois, as a “Convention Portable Organ.” Many of the instrument’s original case panels were hinged for easy disassembly, and the chassis was placed on wheels. In December 1958, the instrument with its drawknob console was sold to and installed at Zoar Lutheran Church, Elmwood Park, Illinois, as the builder’s Opus 3873.  

When the Elmwood Park church closed, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Union Grove, Wisconsin, acquired the instrument and contracted Fabry, Inc., to remove the 14-rank instrument and move it to its new home. We transported some parts of it to the church and other parts to the Fabry factory to be rebuilt and re-engineered. All new Peterson solid state equipment was installed. We constructed a new swell box enclosure with a new electric shade action, and added new casework for the new installation. The balcony required a small amount of remodeling to allow sufficient space for the instrument. 

The project was headed on behalf of the church by Pastor David Ramirez, Dan Hirsh, treasurer, and Paul Hrupka, president. Fabry thanks everyone for their cooperation during this project.

 

GREAT

8′ Principal (68 pipes)

8′ Nason Flute (80 pipes)

8′ Gemshorn (97 pipes)

8′ Dolcan (73 pipes)

4′ Prestant (68 pipes)

4′ Gemshorn (ext 8′ Gemshorn)

4′ Flute (ext 8′ Nason Flute)

4′ Dolcan (ext 8′ Dolcan)

22⁄3′ Twelfth (68 pipes)

22⁄3′ Gemshorn (ext 8′ Gemshorn)

2′ Fifteenth (68 pipes)

2′ Gemshorn (ext 8′ Gemshorn)

13⁄5′ Gemshorn (ext 8′ Gemshorn)

  Tremolo (electric unit)

  Chimes (25 bars, electric action)

Great 16

Great Unison Off

Great 4

SWELL (enclosed)

8′ Stopped Flute (92 pipes)

8′ Salicional (80 pipes)

8′ Voix Celeste (TC, 56 pipes)

4′ Flauto Traverso (68 pipes)

4′ Violina (ext 8′ Salicional)

22⁄3′ Nazard (ext 4′ Flauto Traverso)

2′ Harmonic Piccolo (ext 4′ Fl. Trav.)

8′ Trompette (80 pipes)

8′ Schalmei (68 pipes)

4′ Clarion (ext 8′ Trompette)

Tremolo

Swell 16

Swell Unison Off

Swell 4

PEDAL

32′ Lieblich Gedeckt (resultant)

16′ Diapason (44 pipes)

16′ Bourdon (ext Sw 8′ Stopped Flute)

8′ Principal (ext 16′ Diapason)

8′ Flute (fr Gt 8′ Nason Flute)

8’ Gemshorn (fr Gt 8′ Gemshorn)

8′ Gedeckt (fr Sw 8′ Stopped Flute)

8′ Dolcan (fr Gt 8′ Dolcan)

51⁄3′ Quint (fr Sw 8′ Stopped Flute)

4′ Choral Bass (fr Gt 4′ Prestant)

4′ Gedeckt (fr Sw 8′ Stopped Flute)

III Mixture (collective)      

16′ Trumpet (wired ext. 8′ Trompette)

8′ Trumpet (fr Sw 8′ Trompette)

4′ Clarion (fr Sw 8′ Trompette)

Zimbelstern

 

Inter-divisional couplers (tilting tablets)

Great to Pedal 8 Great to Pedal 4 Swell to Pedal 8 Swell to Pedal 4 MIDI to Pedal Swell to Great 16 Swell to Great 8

Swell to Great 4 Pedal to Great MIDI to Great Pedal to Swell MIDI to Swell

Accessories

10 General pistons (thumb and toe)

6 Great pistons (thumb)

6 Swell pistons (thumb)

4 Pedal pistons (toe)

Set (thumb)

General Cancel (thumb)

Great to Pedal reversible (thumb and toe)

Swell to Pedal reveresible (thumb and toe)

Pedal to Great reversible (thumb)

Pedal to Swell reversible (thumb)

Tutti (thumb and toe, with indicator)

32′ Lieblich reversible (toe)

Zimbelstern reversible (thumb and toe)

Balanced Swell expression shoe

Balanced Crescendo shoe (with indicator)

Wind indicator

—Phil Spressart

 

Builder’s website: www.fabryinc.com

First Church of Christ, Scientist, website: www.christiansciencelibertyville.com

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church website: http://www.stpaulsug.org