The organ was planned to provide the church with an instrument having sufficient flexibility and resource to enable it to play the service requirments properly, and also to play all periods of the literature with requisite tonal balance and authority. The tonal approach is of classic tradition, yet the instrument includes a number of worthy features from the romantic era of organ building.
There are three separate divisions in the instrument, each playable from its own keyboard in the console: the Great, Swell and Pedal Organs. There are 15 speaking stops and 22 independent ranks of pipes, playable from the two-manual-and-pedal console in the chancel. Included are nearly 1400 pipes, ranging in length from about 18' to less than a half-inch. The Great and Pedal divisions are placed in one loft, the Swell Organ in the other, and new tone openings toward the nave have been prepared to augment those into the chancel from each chamber.
The console is of the English drawknob type, much preferred by trained musicians. It includes complete coupler and adjustable combination systems to afford the player fullest ease and efficiency of control of the tonal forces at his disposal. A centrifugal electric blowing plant is installed in the basement to provide the necessary air pressure to operate the instrument, and electric cables are used to connect the various parts with the console.
The instrument was engineered and built by the Moller Organ Company of Hagerstown, Maryland, and was planned by Henry Beard of the Moller Staff. This is one of the noted old firms, builders of many out-standing church and university organs across the country. The new Air Force Academy Chapel organs are products of this firm, as are those at Annapolis and West Point. A sincere effort has been made to
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Frances Little Poel, a former member, organist, with Mr. and Mrs. Henry Beard of Chicago, organist and soloist, at the dedication service for the organ, October 24, 1965. |
provide the church with an instrument of highest quality and best tonal tradtion, one whichshould stand as an inspiration and a joy to the congregation and the community for many years to come.
Article Taken from Dedication of Sanctuary Commemorative Program, January 16, 1966.
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