This describes the initial organ installation and later improvements at Church of the Redeemer. A large portion of the information comes from “A Sense of Place” by Eleanor Pachaud, and “An Involved Parish” by Derek Schwede found in Redeemer: The First Fifty Years. Additional information came from the Pipe Organ Database of the Organ Historical Society. There was light editing to make it easier to read in an online format.

This is one of several posts celebrating the 75th anniversary of Church of the Redeemer.

The original organ installation

Three months after the dedication of the new building, on March 5, 1965, Father Coulter signed the purchase order for our organ through Balcolm and Vaughan Pipe Organs, Inc.

The pipe organ was funded by a donation from parishioners Robert and Eleanor Dent, and the ceremonial Spanish Trumpets were given by Father Coulter. Parish funds covered the construction of the choir platform and the construction of the organ chamber.

The organ and its installation would cost $16,579.84. The organ had a grand total of 22 ranks, 34 stops, and 1,279 pipes.

Responsibility of work

The contract that was signed stated that Balcolm and Vaughan was responsible for the installation, tuning, and finishing, making certain that the instrument was completely ready to play. Redeemer was responsible for everything else:

The Church is to be responsible for preparing the space necessary for the organ, blower, and console. The church is also to install suitable electrical service and wiring starters from the blower motor and rectifier to the console, and to supply any openings for cable, tin line, and interior entry, at a time designated by the organ builders. If the blower must be in a remote location, the church also assumes responsibility for such tin line work.

In essence, we had to do all of the electrical and architectural work necessary to install the organ. Because of this, there were a few minor details that were ignored.

• The organ chamber, for instance, was built without formal plans, was never certified by an engineer, and was never determined to comply with local building codes.
• Another oversight was the electrical wiring for the light on the console. This problem could not be fixed by Balcolm and Vaughan because it was not in their contract; and there was no appropriate outlet for lights. This problem was solved by means of an extension cord to a nearby outlet, and was finally wired properly in 1994, after the church was informed that the thirty-year-old extension cord did not meet electrical code standards.

Despite the delays, the organ was constructed in about ten months’ time, and the dedication was held on December 19, 1965, one year after the completion of the building.

Dedication

The ceremony was led by Bishop Ivol Curtis and Father Coulter and included both the dedication of the organ and the confirmation of over thirty people. As a celebration of the new organ, a recital was included in the ceremony with pieces by J, S. Bach, Dietrich Buxtehude, Louis Claude Daquin, Valentin Rathgeber, Jean Langlais, Dom Paul Benoit, Francis Jackson, and Henry Purcell.

The recital was played by Eugene M, Nye, the tonal director of Balcolm and Vaughan Organs.

Organ renovations

Redeemer’s own musical instrument, the organ, was never fully completed. Though many parts of it had been replaced and repaired since 1987 (including a re-voicing of the instrument in 1988), many parts of the organ continued to wear out and become unusable.

The renovation of the organ began with the work of a committee in 1995, which included Don Bentley, Bill Bissell, Peter Camp, Walter Knowles, Laina Molbak, Allen Moses, Doug Oles, and Randie Sidlinger.

Options considered

The committee looked at the present condition of the organ and evaluated several possible courses of action, including:

• Removing the organ and replacing it with either a new pipe or electronic organ.
• Renovating the organ and making major improvements.
• Making only minor modifications to keep the organ playable.
• Doing nothing at all.

After many meetings, the committee recommended a plan which would:

• Remove the organ from its present location.
• Rebuild large portions of the organ’s action while preserving most of the organ’s original pipework.
• Reinstall the organ in a floor-standing case.

This change in position would improve the organ as an instrument to help lead congregational singing, by focusing the organ’s tone. In addition, providing swell enclosures on some ranks would allow more control over the volume.

The firm of Bond Organ Builders in Portland, Oregon, was chosen to carry out the work.

Fundraising

The 1996 Parish Festival served as the official start of the fundraising campaign and featured a hymn-sing accompanied by a portable organ built by Bond Organ Builders. The successful fund drive ended in the late fall of 1996 after raising over $180,000, which is more than the present building cost at the time of its construction.

The funds were once again provided entirely by members of the parish in donations of many sizes. The donations included a few large contributions, but the bulk of the money was given by the average members and families of the parish.

The contract to renovate the organ was signed on Palm Sunday 1997, and construction began in early summer of that year.

Dedication

The 50th anniversary remembrance was published before the renovations were completed on the organ, so it did not cover its dedication. However, the Pipe Organ Database has information on the dedication:

The organ was dedicated on February 22, 1998, in an evensong service which began with 30 minutes of organ music played by Music Director/Organist, and Associate Rector Rev. Walter Knowles. The music performed in this pre-evensong recital was chosen to demonstrate the wide range of sound the renewed organ is capable of.

Organ Specifications for each build

Here are the organ specifications for each build: Balcom & Vaughan initial installation, Bond rebuild, and Bond new console.

Initial installation

Balcom & Vaughan Pipe Organs, Opus 739, 1965, – Original Specifications (Information from the Pipe Organ Database of the Organ Historical Society)

Technical Details

• Chests: Electro-pneumatic (EP)
• 22 ranks. 1,279 pipes. 3 divisions. 2 manuals. 18 stops. 34 registers.

Divisions

• Chest Type(s): Electro-pneumatic (EP) chests

Console

• Manuals: 2
• Divisions: 3
• Stops: 18
• Registers: 34
• Position: Console in fixed position, left.
• Manual Compass: 61
• Pedal Compass: 32
• Key Action: Electrical connection from key to chest.
• Stop Action: Electric connection between stop control and chest.
• Console Style: Traditional style with roll top.
• Stop Controls: Stop keys above top manual.
• Combination Action: Adjustable combination pistons.
• Swell Control Type: No enclosed divisions.
• Pedalboard Type: Concave radiating pedalboard meeting AGO Standards.
• Has Crescendo Pedal
• Has Combination Action Thumb Pistons
• Has Coupler Reversible Toe Pistons

Division	Length	Name	Pipes
Hauptwerk	8	Prestant	49
	8	Rohr Floete	61
	8	Spitz Gamba (OW)	—
	4	Oktav	61
	4	Spill Pfeife	61
	2-2/3	Quint (OW)	12
	2	Flach Floete	61
	1-3/5	Terz (OW)	—
	IV	Fourniture  19-22-26-29	244
	8	Spanische Trompete	61
	8	Cromorne	61
		Chimes (prep)	—
		Haupt. to Haupt. 16′
		Haupt. Unison Off 8′
		Haupt. to Haupt. 4′
	1	blank, black stoptablet
Oberwerk	8	Gedackt Floete	61
	8	Spitz Gamba	61
	8	Schwebung (tc)	49
	4	Weit Prinzipal	61
	4	Quintade	61
	2	Gemshorn	61
	1-1/3	Nasat	61
	8	Fagott	61
		Tremulant
		Zimbelstern
	8	Spanische Trompete (HW)	—
		Ober. to Ober. 16′
		Ober. Unison Off 8′
		Ober. to Ober. 4′
		1 blank, black stoptablet
Pedal	16	Subbass (OW)	12
	16	Zart Bass	—
	8	Kupfer Prinzipal	32
	8	Gedackt (OW)	—
	8	Spitz Gamba (OW)	—
	4	Koral Bass	12
	4	Spill Floete (HW)	—
	2	Hell Pfeife (HW)	—
	II	Quint Mixtur  22-26	64
	16	Fagott Bass	12
	8	Fagott (OW)	—
	4	Fagott (OW)	—
	4	Cromorne (HW)	—
		1 blank, black stoptablet

The totally unenclosed organ was located at the rear of the church, cantilevered high off of the back wall.

On the Hauptwerk, notes 1-12 of the 8′ Prestant are borrowed from the Pedal 8′ Kupfer Prinzipal, which forms the primary portion of the façade. The 8′ Spanische Trompete is mounted en-chamade off of the back wall above the other pipework. The 2-2/3′ Quint is a 12-pipe bass extension of the Oberwerk 1-1/3′ Nasat. The 1-3/5′ Terz is derived from the Oberwerk 2′ Gemshorn. The Terz plays for 57 notes before breaking back to 3-1/5′ pitch on note A 58.

On the Pedal, the Pedal 16′ Subbass is an extension of the Oberwerk 8′ Gedackt Floete. The pipes are made of mahogany and were built in the Balcom & Vaughan shop. The 16′ Zart Bass is the same as the 16′ Subbass, but with notes 1-12 on soft wind. The 2′ Hell Pfeife is a borrow of the Hauptwerk 2′ Flach Floete.

The Zimbelstern of 4 bells has a speed control with a toggle switch. In the center position, the zimbelstern is off even when the stoptablet is registered. In the left position, it plays on fast, and in the right position it plays on slow.

The console manuals are reverse color with ebony naturals, and sharps of rosewood with ivory caps.

Sources: Balcom & Vaughan opus list and files; and James R. Stettner on December 16, 2012.

Bond rebuild and console

Balcom & Vaughan Pipe Organs, Opus 739, 1965; Bond Pipe Organs, 1998, Rebuild with Additions (Information from the Pipe Organ Database of the Organ Historical Society). In this rebuild, the original console was retained until 2014. The console replacement changed the stoplist.

Technical Details

• Chests: Slider with direct-electric pull-downs (externally mounted)
• 25 ranks. 1,404 pipes. 3 divisions. 2 manuals. 21 stops. 27 registers.

Main

• Manuals: 2
• Divisions: 3
• Stops: 21
• Registers: 27
• Position: Movable console.
• Manual Compass: 61
• Pedal Compass: 32
• Key Action: Electrical connection from key to chest.
• Stop Action: Electric connection between stop control and chest.
• Console Style: Traditional style without cover.
• Stop Controls: Stop keys above top manual.
• Combination Action: Adjustable combination pistons.
• Swell Control Type: Balanced swell shoes/pedals, AGO standard placement.
• Pedalboard Type: Concave radiating pedalboard meeting AGO Standards.
• Has Combination Action Thumb Pistons
• Has Combination Action Toe Pistons
• Has Coupler Reversible Toe Pistons

Divisions

• Chest Type(s): Slider with direct-electric pull-downs (externally mounted) chests
• Position: In a gallery-level case at the rear of the room.

Division	Length	Name	Pipes
Hauptwerk	8	Prestant	49
	8	Rohr Floete	61
		Blank
	4	Oktav	61
	4	Spill Pfeife	61
	2-2/3	Quint	12
	2	Flach Floete	61
	1-3/5	Terz	—
	IV	Fourniture  19-22-26-29	244
	8	Fagott (OW)	—
		Zimbelstern	—
		Haupt. to Haupt. 16′
		Haupt. Unison Off 8′
		Haupt. to Haupt. 4′
		1 blank, black stoptablet
Oberwerk	8	Gedackt Floete	61
	8	Spitz Gamba	61
	8	Schwebung (tc)	49
	4	Weit Prinzipal	61
	4	Quintade	61
	2	Gemshorn	61
		Blank
	8	Trumpet	61
	8	Fagott	61
	8	Cromorne	61
		Tremulant
		Ober. to Ober. 16′
		Ober. Unison Off 8′
		Ober. to Ober. 4′
		1 blank, black stoptablet
Pedal	16	Principal	32
	16	Subbass	32
	8	Kupfer Prinzipal	12
	8	Gedackt	12
		Blank
	4	Koral Bass	32
		Blank
		Blank
	II	Quint Mixtur  22-26	64
	16	Fagott Bass	12
	8	Fagott (OW)	—
		Blank
		Blank
		1 blank, black stoptablet

This organ as originally built by Balcom & Vaughan was also located at the rear of the church and was cantilevered high off of the back wall.

In the rebuild work by Bond Pipe Organs, the original cantilevered chests were removed, and the organ was placed in a new free-standing case of dark Peruvian walnut – styled after Greene & Greene.

Existing pipework was rescaled, revoiced, and the wind pressure was raised. The manual divisions were placed atop new electro-pneumatic, slider windchests with electric slider motors. Only the 8′ Fagott, which is borrowed to the Hauptwerk, is located on an electro-pneumatic unit chest.

The lower façade is comprised entirely of Pedal pipes. The flamed copper pipes at the corner and in the center are from the 16′ Principal/ 8′ Kupfer Prinzipal unit of 44 pipes, which are entirely new. The polished copper pipes between the center and corners are 30 pipes from the 4′ Koral Bass. Pipes 31 and 32 are directly behind the façade on the right side. The first 6 pipes of the Pedal 16′ Subbass are in the side façades. 12 of the 32 16′ Subbass pipes are from the Balcom and Vaughan instrument. The entire Pedal division is diatonically divided with the left side being the C side and the right side being the sharp (♯) side. The Pedal II Quint Mixtur is on the right side between the façade and the swellbox, and is on a chromatic chest. The unenclosed 16′ Fagott Bass extension is on the left side between the façade and the swell-box. The entire Pedal division is on electro-pneumatic unit chests. The pedal is prepared for the addition of a 16′ Posaune.

The Oberwerk is housed in the new swellbox which is surrounded by the pedal division. All three original reeds from the Balcom & Vaughan were moved to the enclosed Oberwerk during the rebuild. The Oberwerk is prepared for the addition of    a III Scharf.

The Hauptwerk is located atop the Oberwerk swellbox and has all 61 pipes of the 8′ Prestant in the façade with the other ranks behind it. The 1-3/5′ Terz is new pipework – the old one having been derived from the OW 2′ Gemshorn. The Hauptwerk is prepared for the addition of a 2′ Super Octav and an 8′ Trumpet.

The Zimbelstern of 4 bells has a speed control with a toggle switch. In the center position, the zimbelstern is off even when the stoptablet is registered. In the left position, it plays on fast, and in the right position it plays on slow.

The original console was retained. The manuals are reverse color with ebony naturals, and sharps of rosewood with ivory caps.

Sources: Bond opus list and files; and from James R. Stettner, December 16, 2012.

2014 console replacement

Bond Pipe Organs Inc. (2014), originally Balcom & Vaughan Pipe Organs (Opus 739, 1965). (Information from the Pipe Organ Database of the Organ Historical Society).

Bond’s rebuild in 1998 retained the original 1965 console. A new console and switching system have now been installed. The stoplist has been slightly revised and the new control system provides multiple-memory combination action with sequencer, record-playback, and transposer. Some preparations for future additions are included. The console is of Peruvian walnut with madrone accents.

Technical Details

• Chests: Slider with electro-pneumatic (EP) pallets (Blackinton-type)
• 25 ranks. 1,404 pipes. 3 divisions. 2 manuals. 21 stops. 27 registers.

Console

• Manuals: 2
• Divisions: 3
• Stops: 21
• Registers: 27
• Position: Movable console.
• Manual Compass: 61
• Pedal Compass: 32
• Key Action: Electrical connection from key to chest.
• Stop Action: Electric connection between stop control and chest.
• Console Style: Traditional style without cover.
• Stop Controls: Tilting/rocking tablets above top manual.
• Combination Action: Adjustable combination pistons.
• Swell Control Type: Balanced swell shoes/pedals, AGO standard placement.
• Pedalboard Type: Concave radiating pedalboard meeting AGO Standards.
• Has Tutti Reversible Thumb Pistons
• Has Tutti Reversible Toe Pistons
• Has Combination Action Thumb Pistons
• Has Combination Action Toe Pistons
• Has Coupler Reversible Thumb Pistons
• Has Coupler Reversible Toe Pistons
• Has a Piston Sequencer

Division	Length	Name	Pipes
Great	8	Principal	61
	8	Rohrflöete	61
	4	Octave	61
	4	Spillpfeife	61
	2-2/3	Nasat	12
	2	Superoctave	61
	1-3/5	Terz	61
		Mixture IV	244
	8	Fagott (swell)	—
		Zimbelstern	4 bells
		Great to Great 16′
		Great Unison Off
		Great to Great 4′
		Swell to Great 16
		Swell to Great 8
		Swell to Great 4
Swell	8	Gedacktflöete	61
	8	Spitz Gamba	61
	8	Schwebung (tc)	49
	4	Weit Prinzipal	61
	4	Quintade	61
	2	Gemshorn	61
		Sharf III	183 pipes
	16	Fagott	73
	8	Trumpet	61
	8	Fagott	Ext.
	8	Krummhorn	61
		Tremulant
		Swell to Swell 16′
		Swell Unison Off
		Swell to Swell 4′
Pedal	32	Resultant	From Subbass
	16	Principal	44
	16	Subbass	44
	8	Octave	Ext.
	8	Choral bass	Ext.
		Mixture II	64
	16	Fagott	From Swell
	8	Fagott	From Swell
	4	Fagott	From Swell
		Great to Pedal 8’
		Great to Pedal 4’
		Swell to Pedal 8’
		Swell to Pedal 4’	12

Church of the Redeemer

Welcome to Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.

Church of the Redeemer is at 6210 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. We are a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.

The Episcopal Church welcomes you.