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| First Congregational UCC is privileged to have the oldest
functioning pipe organ, in use, in DuPage County, Illinois. For 100 years
this beautiful two-manual instrument has led Sunday worship services,
accompanied choir practices, and performed for weddings, funerals, and
myriad other occasions. It was built by the Austin Organ Company of
Hartford, Connecticut (a firm still in business) and installed in 1906—a
generous gift from Mr. T. P. Phillips, a member of this church, in memory
of Frances E. Phillips. Mr. Phillips attached one unusual proviso to
his gift: he insisted that the new church be dedicated without debt, and
that was accomplished. |
Austin Pipe Organ, Opus 163 |
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The organ’s intricate casework is of quarter-sawn oak. Visible pipes
include both speaking and decorative; as was common with organs of this
vintage, most of the instrument is behind the façade, shielded from view. An
unusual feature of this organ, but one common to period Austin organs, is
the “Universal Wind Chest”, patented by Austin in the 1890’s. Those able to
negotiate the small door-covered portal beside the console may stand upright
inside the chest (a small room, in this case) while the organ plays, and
observe the action of selected pipes receiving air. |
In 1906 commercial and residential electrification was not yet commonplace.
In fact the church itself was built without electricity, relying on gas lamps
for illumination. Initially the organ blower was powered by a rather ingenious
device known as a “water engine”, whereby city water pressure turned a turbine.
(Today the blower is driven by an electric motor.) There have been at least
three major upgrades: In the early 1970’s, the original pneumatic controls,
which employed bundles of lead tubing to control valves, were replaced with an
electromechanical control system. A further upgrade took place about 1990, and
in fall, 2000, the electromechanical controls were replaced by solid-state
controls, necessitating replacement manuals. This last change provided eight
files of multiple memories, in addition to eliminating nearly 4000 electrical
contacts which had been responsible for numerous service calls. Notwithstanding
the added modern technology, the organ itself remains 100 percent winded.
Click here for detailed specifications.
| Many of these changes were made possible through the generosity of
First Congregational members; special thanks are due the Zaininger family,
who donated funds in memory of Mrs. Zaininger, a past organist, and
Lucille Zaininger, her daughter. Another organist, Beverly Owens, who
served the congregation for 29 years, was also memorialized by her family
through contributions to the most recent upgrade. This instrument is
maintained by Erickson, Christian and Associates, Glen Ellyn, Illinois.
With continued tender loving care it should play just as well in 2106 as
it does today! |
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