Christ Lutheran Church
Allentown, PA

Aeolian-Skinner Organ Company - Opus 967 - Built 1937
Casavant Freres Organ Company - Rebuilt 1970
Austin Organ Company console with pipe additions - 1992
4 Manuals, 77 Ranks


  Great   Swell   Antiphonal
16'   Contra Geigen 16'   Lieblich Gedackt 8'   Principal
8'   Principal 8'   Principal 8'   Rohr Flute
8'   Bourdon 8'   Stopped Diapason                 4'   Octav
8'   Flute Harmonic                 8'   Viola da Gamba 4'   Spitz Flute
8'   Gemshorn 8'   Viole Celeste 2'   Super Oktav
4'   Octave 8'   Flute Celeste II   Mixture V
4'   Flute d'Amour 4'   Octave Geigen 8'   Trompette
2'   Super 0ctave 4'   Flute Triangulaire   Tremolo
  Mixture III 2 2/3'   Nazard 8'   Trompette en Chamade
  Scharf III 2'   Flautino    
8'   Trumpet   Plein Jeu IV    
  Cymbelstern 16'   Bombarde    
  Chimes 8'   Trompette    
  Tremolo 8'   Oboe    
    8'   Vox Humana    
    4'   Clairon    
      Tremolo    
           
  Choir   Pedal    
16'   Quintaten 32'   Open Diapason    
8'   Gedackt 32'   Contra Bourdon    
8'   Dolcan 16'   Open Diapason    
8'   Dolcan Celeste 16'   Bourdon    
4'   Koppel Flute 16'   Lieblich Gedeckt    
2'   Gemshorn 16'   Quintaten    
1 1/3'   Quint Flute 16'   Quintade    
  Sesquialtera II 16'   Contra Geigen    
8'   Clarinet 8'   Octave    
4'   Rohr Schalmey 8'   Cello    
  Tremolo 8'   Gedeckt    
    4'   Super Octave    
    4'   Nachthorn    
      Mixture IV    
    32'   Contra Bombarde    
    16'   Bombarde    
    16'   Posaune    
    8'   Trompette    
    8'   Trumpet    
    8'   Clairon    
    4'   Rohr Schalmey    


History

The original Christ Church organ installed in 1907 served until it was replaced in 1937 by a new 5-manual Aeolian-Skinner organ with 38 speaking stops, built in Boston, and described as "one of the best of that day." Used continuously until 1969, this organ was then gutted and rebuilt with an antiphonal organ and- new console by Casavant at a cost of $60,745, part of a general building modernization program. Burness Associates oversaw this project, and at its conclusion projected the instrument would hold in good condition for about 12 years.

After 20 years, the Worship and Music Committee, recalling Burness' projection, decided it was time for a detailed inspection of the organ before major problems developed. Accordingly Brantley Duddy, who had been servicing the instrument, was asked to present a proposal to preserve the integrity of the organ. An Organ Study Committee under Robert Evans' leadership reviewed Mr. Duddy's short-term maintenance report, together with a long-range plan of rebuilding; basically providing a new console, some additional ranks of pipes to enhance the existing ranks, and a complete rewiring of the instrument.

The Church Council decided to present the report to the congregation for consideration. The excellent response by the congregation gave assurance that the full program could be carried out. At the end of the first year, $171,000 had been pledged, and $117,000 already paid. At the conclusion of the 3-year campaign $177,948 was paid by 331 giving units, averaging $535.50. Contributions included 12 Memorial Ranks and 70 Memorials of $500 each.

For most of the 3 years work there was little visual evidence that anything was being done because it was done "piecemeal" under Mr. Duddy's supervision, so that the congregation was never without organ accompaniment. The Great, Swell or Choir organ, one or the other, under the organist's skillful manipulation, provided some music at all services. Even the installation of the new console constructed by Austin Organ Company was accomplished within a week, between Sundays.

The remodeled, enlarged organ was consecrated on June 12, 1994.



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