The Organ

Organs have been around since ancient times, and have long been associated with worship. The organ is a wind instrument which produces sound by forcing air through pipes. The pipe ranks are mounted on windchests which are activated by means of a drawknob or tab on the organ console. When activated, the organist depresses a key on the keyboard, which opens a valve under the corresponding pipe. This admits air to the pipe, causing it to speak.

In 1864 the congregation purchased a harmonium to accompany worship services. This remained in use until 1887 when the congregation purchased a pipe organ built by Charles Durner of Quakertown, PA. This instrument remained in use until replaced by by an organ built by the M. P. Moller Co. of Hagerstown, MD in 1926.

The M. P. Moller organ, Op. 4639, was a generous gift by D. V. Heck in memory of his mother. This instrument was considerably larger than the Durner organ, and utilized space across the front of the sanctuary. The exposed great was located on the left front of the sanctuary, and the swell, under expression, was located on the right. The console was located in the center in the space now occupied by the pulpit.

In 1973, the M. P. Moller Co. of Hagerstown, MD did a complete overhaul of the instrument. The console was relocated and replace with a two manual model with tilting tablets. Much of the pipework was revoiced to a louder, brighter tone and the instrument was slightly enlarged to 10 ranks.

After many years of faithful service, the organ once again began to show the effects of age and wear and tear. The congregation contracted with the Peebles-Herzog Organ Co. of Columbus, OH to do a complete ground up rebuild of the instrument. This is the most complete overhaul to date, and will see not only a complete upgrade of the instrument, but the organ chambers as well. The Peebles-Herzog organ is expanded to 14 ranks. Completely new foundations replace the small unit foundations, providing a solid and colorful support to the hymns. The exposed pipework speaks directly into the sanctuary, and is arranged into a stunning visual design characteristic of what you would see in a church of this period. The organ is played from a movable, two manual drawknob console.

The current organ specifications are as follows: