On the morning of February 19, 2006, St. John
Lutheran Church in Russell, Kansas dedicated their new organ during
a worship service filled with majestic hymns, moving scripture,
and grateful hearts. This inspiring service was the culmination
of three long years of hard work, planning, and fundraising by the
members and friends of St. John Lutheran Church.
Beginning in early 2003, the concept of a new organ for the church
began to take shape. The aging Allen electronic organ was beginning
to have major problems and following a wedding that David Rankin
played for, Combs Organ Specialist became involved. A letter dated
3-8-03 provides some general information about new and used pipe
organs, digital organs, and digital/pipe combination organs.
As the dream developed, David began to meet with Pastor Hartman
and the new organ committee. It became very obvious that there was
a great deal of interest in a pipe organ, as many people had fond
memories of the old pipe organ which was replaced by the current
Allen over 30 years ago. After months of planning and trips to hear
new organs, the committee decided to present a plan to the congregation
that called for the installation of a new Rodgers/Pipe Combination
Organ.
This organ would contain real sets of wind blown pipes as well as
many pipe quality digital voices. The congregation voted to move
forward with the project, with the understanding that a contract
would not be signed until all of the money was raised. The fundraising
was nearly complete when a portion of the Reuter pipe organ in Jackson,
Mississippi became available. It was determined that these pipes
combined with some new Reuter pipes would work perfectly for the
new organ. It is truly impossible to describe how wonderful the
new organ looks and sounds. The combination of new and used Reuter
pipes, Rodgers digital technology, and Combs Organ Specialists craftsmanship
and design has produced an instrument that is truly breathtaking
to see and hear.
The following list provides a basic description of the work done
in building the organ, but it cannot describe the voicing that Mike
and David did, or the detail of the woodwork that Dan built that
matches the existing altar furniture, or the visual layout the owner
Mike Combs developed. You will have to see it and hear it to fully
understand the magnitude of this new pipe/digital organ.
Parts, Equipment
Rodgers 958
PR-300 with drawer
11 ranks of Reuter pipes with chests, wiring, blowers
Bottom nine pipes of Great and Choir principal pipes painted gold
Custom interface/relay
Casework around chests only, all pipes exposed
Antiphonal division
Antiphonal casework with pipe façade
Double Swell division speakers
Pipe voicing and tonal finish work
|
Message
from Eileen Vladar
Eileen was the organist at St. John Lutheran Church
for 60 years until retiring in January 2008.
Hi Jeff:
Nice to hear from you. This morning we had a real blizzard
then this afternoon the sun was shining........only in Kansas!
The Rodgers/pipe combination that you installed for us is truly
a joy to play. I love the organ and our members
love it also.
Several weeks ago we had a Christmas taping in our church which
will be aired on KOOD Public Television in December of 2008.
This was to have been done this past December but due
to an ice storm it was postponed until after Christmas.
We had our choir, the choir from Barton County Community College
as well as brass from BCCC and our bell choir.
The organ teacher from Barton CCC was impressed with our organ.
Hope you will be able to see the program next December as it shows
the sanctuary in all of its Christmas glory and the pipes are beautiful.
I just can't thank you and your father enough. You were
such a great joy to work with and the thought that went into the
appearance of the pipes was just amazing. You
did a great job and we will always be thankful to you for that.
Love and Prayers,
Eileen Vladar |
