The Sanctuary Organ of First Congregational Church, Elgin, IL
The pipe organ has historically been considered the King of Instruments. As an
artistic medium it deserves the highest standards of musical and mechanical excellence.
First Congregational Church’s organ was built in 1893 by the Farrand and Votey Organ Company. It was a tracker organ – a mechanical instrument involving the use of direct connections (trackers) between the keys and the pipes themselves. Because of the mechanical nature of the instrument, the organist needed considerable strength simply to depress the keys, as well as the cooperation of another person to provide wind generated by hand-operated bellows.
Through the years this organ was “improved” to keep pace with evolving musical styles and the newest technologies. In 1932 a new tubular pneumatic console was installed. In 1954 the organ was completely electrified, and the organ console was moved from the right side of the choir area to the present organ pit. A major tonal rebuilding was undertaken in 1969 when the entire Great Organ was replaced and many other tonal revisions were made through the addition of new ranks of pipes and the revoicing of others. In 1978 a new console was installed and the entire instrument was rewired. These changes incorporated the latest techniques, including a solid-state switching system in the combination action.
In February of 1997 a violent winter storm blew vast amounts of rain and snow through a louver on the north side of the building, much of it landing on the Swell and Choir chests, rendering the organ unplayable. The Berghaus Organ Company of Bellwood, Illinois made all necessary repairs and to return the instrument to prime condition.
New Swell and Choir chests were built, the entire organ was revoiced, ranks were moved to different divisions, a new Trompette was added to the Swell, electric action was employed throughout, and a wonderfully new instrument came back to life.
All of this work was funded through a respectable settlement with the church’s insurance company and generous financial gifts from the late Paul Jehle and Miss Florence Palmer.
Pipes for the unenclosed Great Organ are positioned centrally and directly behind the façade pipes which form part of the Pedal Organ. The Choir Organ is located in a chamber directly behind the Great Organ, and the swell organ is one floor above the Choir Organ, also in a separate chamber. The Pedal Organ is located on both sides of the organ at several levels.
The manuals have a 61-note compass and 32-note pedalboard is built to AGO (American Guild of Organists) standards.
The organ is the instrument that ties the entire church worship service together as the organist provides the accompaniment for congregational hymns and choral anthems, and performs solo literature. This instrument is used throughout the year for concerts and special program for both the congregation and the community. The 1997 rebuilding provides a specification which allows the performance of literature from all periods.
The organ is in truth the grandest, the most daring, the most magnificent of all instruments invented by human genius. – Honore de Balzac
The pipe organ has historically been considered the King of Instruments. As an
artistic medium it deserves the highest standards of musical and mechanical excellence.First Congregational Church’s organ was built in 1893 by the Farrand and Votey Organ Company. It was a tracker organ – a mechanical instrument involving the use of direct connections (trackers) between the keys and the pipes themselves. Because of the mechanical nature of the instrument, the organist needed considerable strength simply to depress the keys, as well as the cooperation of another person to provide wind generated by hand-operated bellows.
Through the years this organ was “improved” to keep pace with evolving musical styles and the newest technologies. In 1932 a new tubular pneumatic console was installed. In 1954 the organ was completely electrified, and the organ console was moved from the right side of the choir area to the present organ pit. A major tonal rebuilding was undertaken in 1969 when the entire Great Organ was replaced and many other tonal revisions were made through the addition of new ranks of pipes and the revoicing of others. In 1978 a new console was installed and the entire instrument was rewired. These changes incorporated the latest techniques, including a solid-state switching system in the combination action.
In February of 1997 a violent winter storm blew vast amounts of rain and snow through a louver on the north side of the building, much of it landing on the Swell and Choir chests, rendering the organ unplayable. The Berghaus Organ Company of Bellwood, Illinois made all necessary repairs and to return the instrument to prime condition.
New Swell and Choir chests were built, the entire organ was revoiced, ranks were moved to different divisions, a new Trompette was added to the Swell, electric action was employed throughout, and a wonderfully new instrument came back to life.
All of this work was funded through a respectable settlement with the church’s insurance company and generous financial gifts from the late Paul Jehle and Miss Florence Palmer.
Pipes for the unenclosed Great Organ are positioned centrally and directly behind the façade pipes which form part of the Pedal Organ. The Choir Organ is located in a chamber directly behind the Great Organ, and the swell organ is one floor above the Choir Organ, also in a separate chamber. The Pedal Organ is located on both sides of the organ at several levels.
The manuals have a 61-note compass and 32-note pedalboard is built to AGO (American Guild of Organists) standards.
The organ is the instrument that ties the entire church worship service together as the organist provides the accompaniment for congregational hymns and choral anthems, and performs solo literature. This instrument is used throughout the year for concerts and special program for both the congregation and the community. The 1997 rebuilding provides a specification which allows the performance of literature from all periods.
The organ is in truth the grandest, the most daring, the most magnificent of all instruments invented by human genius. – Honore de Balzac
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The United Church of Christ.