In April 2010, FUMC decided on a major renovation to the original Moller Organ that was dedicated in 1965. All but 40 of the largest pipes were removed and taken to Cornell Zimmer Organ Builders in Denver, N.C., to be refurbished. Lead in the treble pipes had sagged over the years and the pipes also needed new tuning sleeves. The pipes were cleaned to even out speech and volume and restored to the condition they were in when new.
     The pipes were returned in the fall with the addition of digital enhancement that gave the instrument a greater range. By adding digital pipes, the organ now has 60-plus voices that include low bass and additional reeds, strings and flutes. The refurbished organ is roughly one-third pipes and two-thirds digital. For example, low bass was prohibited by cost and lack of space in 1965, not a problem with digital pipes.
     Zimmer�s tonal director said that the digital music is not synthesized, but are recordings taken from actual instruments. While many churches have organs installed and tuned, FUMC�s instrument is one of the few that was toned at its installation. Tuning must be

done on a regular basis, but toning is done once to adjust tonality to surroundings, adding greater depth to the sound. Re-installation took nearly a month as the pipes were fitted and electric cables were connected.
     The console also is new except for its shell. It has three keyboards and is movable for weddings and concerts. Part of the renovation costs included raising the floor where the former organ was recessed. Also, a fa�ade of 15 decorative pipes to a side were placed on the front of the chancel.
     The newly-refurbished instrument was introduced at a free community concert at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Oct. 17. Organist charles Litaker played selections that included some American songs, French 19th and 20th century composers, a Bach concerto and a set of Renaissance dances.
     Cornel Zimmer is a fourth generation organ builder. The family, originally from Holland, immigrated to South Africa for about 20 years, and then to the United States when Cornel Zimmer was four years old. The younger Zimmer started his own company in 1992 and built the Denver facility in 1995.

     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

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.