Update March 20, 2023: As of this writing (March 20), our organ is being readied for its return to the sanctuary this Saturday, March 25! Some additional electrical work and other finishing touches will be completed the following Monday and Tuesday. The organ will then be fully functional for Palm Sunday Service and Holy Week.
This past week, members of the Organ Restoration Committee visited Fabry, Inc. for a final look and approval before shipment. What they found was a stunning new console cabinet that bears our church name and the United Methodist logo. In David Fabry, Jr.'s words, 'I started to replace wood that was damaged before I refinished the rest and decided to just start over. I used the original lid, though."
The organ's operating system and controls have been updated and all components will again be functional. Please feel free to come forward after worship to see the beauty of this makeover! ~ Mark Tisinger
Update February 15, 2023: Off to the repair shop! When you look for the organ at the front of the church, you will notice that a lot is missing! The console has been removed and is on its way to the Fabry, Inc. repair shop in Antioch, Illinois. We can look forward to seeing and hearing the organ again in the very near future - maybe even before Easter Sunday.
UPDATE January 19, 2023: Did you hear the difference in the sound of our Moeller organ last Sunday? Fabry (our contracted organ repair company) has completed one of the repairs in the first phase of the restoration project. You’ll notice that the louds are louder and the quiets are quieter. The Organ Task Force is happy to report that we are nearing our financial goal for the first phase. As of January 19, 2023 the St. John’s family has generously given $79,000 toward our Phase One goal of $120,000. Soon you’ll notice that the keyboard manuals, foot pedals and stops will be missing. These will be updated over the next few months.
St. John’s United Methodist Church is very fortunate in that we have a very dedicated, talented organist who continues to create beautiful organ music. However, she is limited in the music she can play due to various issues as the organ was installed 62 years ago and has had limited updates since then. It is time for us as a congregation to invest in the future as our forebears invested when they installed the organ. We have an asset valued at $1.3 million, which needs major improvements to protect its value and ensure the organ continues to provide beautiful music to accompany the choir and the congregation.
Here are a few details we want to share as this project is introduced:
This past week, members of the Organ Restoration Committee visited Fabry, Inc. for a final look and approval before shipment. What they found was a stunning new console cabinet that bears our church name and the United Methodist logo. In David Fabry, Jr.'s words, 'I started to replace wood that was damaged before I refinished the rest and decided to just start over. I used the original lid, though."
The organ's operating system and controls have been updated and all components will again be functional. Please feel free to come forward after worship to see the beauty of this makeover! ~ Mark Tisinger
Update February 15, 2023: Off to the repair shop! When you look for the organ at the front of the church, you will notice that a lot is missing! The console has been removed and is on its way to the Fabry, Inc. repair shop in Antioch, Illinois. We can look forward to seeing and hearing the organ again in the very near future - maybe even before Easter Sunday.
UPDATE January 19, 2023: Did you hear the difference in the sound of our Moeller organ last Sunday? Fabry (our contracted organ repair company) has completed one of the repairs in the first phase of the restoration project. You’ll notice that the louds are louder and the quiets are quieter. The Organ Task Force is happy to report that we are nearing our financial goal for the first phase. As of January 19, 2023 the St. John’s family has generously given $79,000 toward our Phase One goal of $120,000. Soon you’ll notice that the keyboard manuals, foot pedals and stops will be missing. These will be updated over the next few months.
St. John’s United Methodist Church is very fortunate in that we have a very dedicated, talented organist who continues to create beautiful organ music. However, she is limited in the music she can play due to various issues as the organ was installed 62 years ago and has had limited updates since then. It is time for us as a congregation to invest in the future as our forebears invested when they installed the organ. We have an asset valued at $1.3 million, which needs major improvements to protect its value and ensure the organ continues to provide beautiful music to accompany the choir and the congregation.
Here are a few details we want to share as this project is introduced:
- Discussion of this project has been in process for the last 10 months, the first invitation to give to the organ repair was the Easter special offering in 2022. The task force has secured the needed cost estimates to move forward at this time.
- Our Möller organ was purchased and installed in 1960
- It has 3 manuals, 33 ranks and 2,640 pipes
- Although significant maintenance issues have been deferred until now, our organ is in very good condition for its age.
- Fabry (Pipe Organs) Inc. has been selected to start on the needed work in 2023. Fabry Inc. was the company that installed the current organ in 1960.
- The cost for this phase of work is estimated at $120,000
An Organ Task Force was appointed a few months ago to evaluate the needed improvements and the cost. They have completed a comprehensive review involving three organ companies as well as checking with other churches who have the same make of organ to assure the most appropriate decisions are made and the best value is attained. All three companies visited the church in-person to gain awareness of the required improvements. The Task Force requested sealed bids with multiple options. Two companies submitted bids which the Task Force met to review and then discuss via telephone with each company to assure there was agreement on the best mode of renovation at the lowest cost. Time without the organ in operation was also a factor. Both companies’ bids were comparable in process and cost. Therefore, Chairperson Mark Tisinger visited the company tentatively selected at their home office in Antioch, Illinois, to assure the best proposal with the most conservative cost was selected.
The Task Force met with the Trustees to explain the organ project and cost estimates on October 19. That same evening a recommendation including cost and the selected repair company was discussed with Steering Committee. Both Trustees and Steering voted favorably to support the project as proposed.
The organ company is Fabry (Pipe Organs) Inc., owned and managed by President David G. Fabry, Vice President and father David J. Fabry, and Collin Fabry, a fourth-generation family member. They currently service about 350 contracted clients in Illinois and five surrounding states plus other relationships throughout the United States.
The proposed project is being planned in two stages. The initial stage has been scheduled for 2023 and then as funds are received the second part of the overall restoration project will be scheduled later. It is thought that by proceeding in this way, the remaining improvements can hopefully take place 3 - 5 years in the future. The initial phase will improve the sound and performance plus correct current operating deficiencies with the organ. The sound and tone will dramatically be improved when the total process is completed. All work and costs related to the initial stage of the renovation will fit into the long-term, thus there are no wasted expenses.
Total cost of the initial phase is $101,383 plus 7% sales tax = $108,480. The Task Force recommended a 10% contingency, only to be spent if required, thereby totaling $119,327. There is currently $25,768 pledged to organ repairs leaving $93,559 to be raised.
The Task Force met with the Trustees to explain the organ project and cost estimates on October 19. That same evening a recommendation including cost and the selected repair company was discussed with Steering Committee. Both Trustees and Steering voted favorably to support the project as proposed.
The organ company is Fabry (Pipe Organs) Inc., owned and managed by President David G. Fabry, Vice President and father David J. Fabry, and Collin Fabry, a fourth-generation family member. They currently service about 350 contracted clients in Illinois and five surrounding states plus other relationships throughout the United States.
The proposed project is being planned in two stages. The initial stage has been scheduled for 2023 and then as funds are received the second part of the overall restoration project will be scheduled later. It is thought that by proceeding in this way, the remaining improvements can hopefully take place 3 - 5 years in the future. The initial phase will improve the sound and performance plus correct current operating deficiencies with the organ. The sound and tone will dramatically be improved when the total process is completed. All work and costs related to the initial stage of the renovation will fit into the long-term, thus there are no wasted expenses.
Total cost of the initial phase is $101,383 plus 7% sales tax = $108,480. The Task Force recommended a 10% contingency, only to be spent if required, thereby totaling $119,327. There is currently $25,768 pledged to organ repairs leaving $93,559 to be raised.
The Organ Task Force
Mark Tisinger, Bill Otten, Marilyn Lihs, Cristian Carlton, Mitzi Harris, Pastor Jeff, Norlan Hinke, Alison Henry
Mark Tisinger, Bill Otten, Marilyn Lihs, Cristian Carlton, Mitzi Harris, Pastor Jeff, Norlan Hinke, Alison Henry