The old organ at St. Paul's Episcopal Church had been on its last legs for some time when our 125th Anniversary Jubilee rolled around. A complete organ rebuild was at the top of the list of 15 projects we tackled with a Jubilee Capital Fund Campaign.
The organ consisted of 23 pipe ranks spread over a huge, user-hostile three manual console, the Swell shades were frozen about one quarter open, and every rank had numerous dead notes, and at random times every pipe of all 22 ranks would sound simultaneously. It was no fun to play, and nearly impossible to make music with.
First "Oh Wow!" Moment: The first thing Franklin Pipe Organ Company did as they began the rebuild process was to replace the old console with a brand-new two manual drawknob Ahlborn-Galanti console which has a huge array of authentic sounding digital voices speaking from the pipe chambers, carefully voiced to our room. Suddenly we had a beautiful, user-friendly console and lovely organ sound. It was once again fun to play and we made beautiful music on every occasion. We actually looked forward to rather than dread our work at the organ.
Second "Oh Wow!" Moment: As the restored pipe ranks were brought on line one by one, everyone in the parish, our priests, the choir, people in the congregation asked ever more frequently what was going on with the organ - the sound seemed "different..., better..., bigger...." Before long it was possible to use only pipe voices, and they had a new sparkle and presence they never had before the rebuild. Now all of the pipes are in, and the sound is incredibly grand and beautiful.
Mr. Franklin decided first to restore the five ranks which comprised our original 1927 Moeller Organ to their original condition, then scale and voice all other pipe and digital voices to match. The result is stunningly beautiful.
Mr. Franklin is a master craftsman of the highest integrity and uncompromisingly high standards for his work. The appearance of the completely redesigned organ chambers is itself a thing of great beauty. They are practically laid out and brightly lit.
We are thrilled with our new organ, and feel fortunate indeed that we chose Franklin Pipe Organs to rebuild and expand our instrument.