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The peaceful quiet of late evening is Patty Nelson's favorite time to sit in the sanctuary at the First Congregational Church and play the organ. Church organist for more than a year, Nelson spends several hours practicing the hymns that will be part of the next Sunday's service. Every note she plays evokes a spirit of the past. Generations of the church's organists have come and gone, but the majestic Austin Opus 163 pipe organ lives on. It has been a focal point of the church since it was built a century ago. For the more than 350 members of the congregation, that instrument has provided the soundtrack for the church's long history. This year marks the 100th birthday of the church's pipe organ, making it probably the oldest such instrument still functioning in DuPage County. Built by the Austin Organ Company of Hartford, Conn., which is still in business, the two-manual instrument continues to be the heart and soul of the church's Sunday worship services, choir practices, weddings, funerals and numerous other functions. Nelson, a grade school music teacher and a church accompanist for more than 35 years, said the pipe organ's longevity comes from being well-maintained through the years by Erickson, Christian and Associates of Glen Ellyn. "It's a privilege to get to play it," said Nelson of Naperville. "It plays very nicely. It's in very good shape for its age. It's been kept up very well." The congregation dates back to 1833, making it the oldest in DuPage County. According to information compiled by church historians, after the turn-of-the-century, congregation member T.P. Phillips agreed to donate the instrument in memory of Frances Phillips, if the proposed new church building be dedicated without debt. Thus inspired, church members raised the money and the organ became part of the architectural plans for the new church. It was built in 1906 on the northwest corner of Benton Avenue and Center Street. The organ is an imposing presence in the sanctuary. Its casework is made of quarter-sawn oak with paneled pedestals and hand-carved filigree. Most of its 1,014 pipes are hidden from view behind the facade, typical of pipe organs of that era. It's most visible pipes provide an eye-catching backdrop for the church's choir. A feature common to organs built by the Austin company is the "Universal Wind Chest," patented by the company in the 1890s. Behind a door that blends into the design of the facade is a small area that allows viewers a peek at the hidden pipes as they take in air as the organ is being played. Paul Grizzell, of Naperville, choir director for the past four years, said that despite its age, the pipe organ still emits a wide variety of sounds. "The church, itself, is a homey church and the organ is a perfect fit," he said. "It's old home week when you are in the church, and that's every week. It really fills the sanctuary with a glorious sound. The fullness of the instrument is exciting." Diane Herr also loves the sounds of the pipe organ and the history behind it. A member of the church since 1979, Herr especially remembers how the one of the previous organists, Beverly Owens, brought the instrument to life each week for more than 17 years. "She was a really lively woman," said Herr, of Naperville. "She could play this thing like a calliope. It was so much fun." A sense of the past permeates the church as well. Built before electricity was commonplace, the sanctuary was illuminated by gas lamps. The original lamp mountings are still visible. Consequently, the pipe organ's blower was powered by a water engine energized by city water pressure turning a turbine. Later the blower was adapted to run by an electric motor and in the early 1970s, its original pneumatic controls which used bundles of lead tubing to control valves, were replaced with an electromechanical control system. That system was updated in 1990 and again in 2000 when the electromechanical controls were replaced with solid-state controls. The last change provided eight files of multiple memories and eliminated nearly 4,000 electrical contacts. The craftsmanship of the current building still reflects the beginning of 20th century. Built of local yellow limestone, the church features large scissor-trusses of oak and a paneled oak vaulted ceiling. Most of the stained glass windows date back to 1906. Four of them were salvaged from the previous building. Several are dedicated to the memory of long-ago members of the congregation including George Martin, the Goodrich and Royce families and Judge Hiram Cody. The latter cemented his place in Naperville history when he rang the church bell in the middle of the night in 1868 as a band of Wheaton residents were absconding with the records from the Naperville courthouse. The alarm came too late. Naperville lost its position as county seat to Wheaton that night. Through the years the organ has kept up with the times. It has undergone other major upgrades made possible by the generosity of church members. Small plaques memorialize the contributions made in memory of Frances Phillips, past organist Leetta Zaininger and her daughter, Lucille, and Beverly Owens. In April, a new plaque, marking its 100 years, was added to the instrument by the American Guild of Organists, Fox Valley Chapter. It came as part of a birthday celebration and organ recital performed by members of the guild. Each note still reverberates clearly throughout the sanctuary. Herr never tires of the sound. She said that the music is one of the best things about each Sunday's worship service. It is one of the reasons she has felt so at home there for almost three decades. "It does have a wonderful sound, almost like you can feel the spirit of God coming through the pipes," she said. "It can really fill this whole sanctuary, or it can be very light. It definitely, I think, helps people worship." © 2006 Digital Chicago & Sun-Times News Group |
• Copyright © 2007 First Congregational Church |
