Our Pipe Organ is Being Renovated!
  • ghmus7
    Posts: 1,486
    I am thrilled to announce that our organ, the Pitcher 1903/Schlicker 1985 at St. Joseph Church, in Macon Ga., will be completely renovated by Lewtak Organs of moncksville NC - See Lewtak.com

    It has taken us five years to arrive at thus point. Here is our message to the parish:

    Dear Parishioner:
    Our beautiful church was dedicated in 1901, and took a period of ten years to create. Along with the erection of this historic edifice, our beautiful pipe organ was installed and dedicated in 1903. Built by the Pilcher Organ Company of Louisville Mo., it took three years to build, and it was the largest and most significant pipe organ in the South at that time.
    In 1985, after little renovation work for eighty years, the organ was rebuilt in 1985 by the Schicker Organ company in Buffalo NY. Since then, there has been no significant work done.
    We are now at a turning point: many systems in the organ, winding, relays, mechanical and electrical are failing in the organ and and many parts of the instrument are 100 or 50 years old. While the quality of the organ and its 3363 pipes is first-rate, at our parish the organ serves as a centerpiece of all our liturgical celebrations and is played at all weekend masses (up to 8) weddings, funerals, concerts, graduations and many other celebrations, and after such use, is badly in need of a complete renovation.
    After an exhaustive search in finding a reputable company, We have signed a contract from Lewtak Organ Company of Mocksville NC, for a total renovation of the organ. The Lewtak company is over twenty years in operation and has an excellent reputation for the quality and value of their work. Director Tom Lewtak has been working in the pipe organ industry for over 50 years, and understands our needs and vision for the instrument. As well, his Catholic heritage means that he understands our liturgical worship.
    Lewtak.com
    We are looking for donors who would like to contribute to the future of this historic instrument and be a part of the ongoing worship of Christ in our parish!
    May God be Glorified.
    Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information.
    Dr. Gregory Hamilton 832-545-0900
    ghmus7@hotmail.com
    Thanked by 2FSSPmusic francis
  • irishtenoririshtenor
    Posts: 1,416
    Pilcher Organ Company of Louisville Mo.

    One quibble is that Louisville is in Kentucky! I'm very happy you are going to have a terrific and renovated instrument!
  • Congrats! I remember helping relocate a certain rank of pipes from a nearby instrument to a maintenance closet somewhere on the St. Joseph campus. What was the fate of that rank?
  • ghmus7
    Posts: 1,486
    Hello! I believe that was the Gemshorn ŕank. It came from the Holtkamp at Mercer University. We still have the rank and it will be renovated and installed as part of the renovation.