The Organ Project
The Methodist Church in Oroville has a 1925 Reuter pipe organ, bought new by the church. When the new church was built in the 1960s, the organ was moved from the old church to the new one. Over the years some additions were made, most notably an eight-foot trumpet stop and a mixture. In 1995 parts of the organ began to fail.
As David had worked with an Organ Builder in the 1970s, he presented a plan for the restoration of the organ utilizing volunteer labor from some of the local church members. This met the budgetary needs of the church, and the project began. The project has grown; in addition to repairing the existing organ, many new additions have been (and are being) made. The original Vox Humana pipes, removed during the 1960s organ move, were discovered on the floor of the loft. These have been placed on a reconditioned chest and are once again accompanying the organ.
A new Choir Division chest of five ranks was also added on a raised platform above the Swell chest. In addition, a chest for a rank of Clarinet pipes was also installed. The Clarinet and Vox Humana pipes are part of the Choir Division, giving the division 7 ranks. The Great Trumpet rank is also playable directly from the Choir keyboard.
We have also installed a set of Orchestral Chimes and new swell shade motors (modern electronic ones), as well as adding three more swell shades to the swell side (which has improved the volume level). The Reuter factory service people inspected the organ and discovered that the wind pressure had been reduced. They have returned the wind pressure to the original factory specifications, and preliminarily voiced the organ.
The previously installed Great organ additional ranks, each on its own chest, are inconveniently arrayed all around the original great chest. Looking at the picture showing the great chamber and chimes, you will notice the mixture rank at the far right of the photo. This rank is right by the access aisle, at elbow bumping height (need I say more?) and in right in front of the swell shades. While this makes it convenient for tuning, it also is subject to air temperature changes as the shades open and close. We plan on solving all these problems by building a support platform for these chests similar to what we did for the choir chest. This will really change the layout in the chamber and, we hope, improve service access to the pipes. The platform is presently under construction (March 2002) and should be installed soon. At the same time we will connect these chests to the console via a Peterson solid-state relay system. We have already installed one on the Choir Division, and have in situ another one for the swell Gedeckt rank, which plays on multiple stops. The present relay is an electro-pneumatic type from the original 1925 installation, and is beginning to become unreliable.
Next we will extend the Trumpet rank to the 16-foot level. Then we will add a rank of 16-foot Facade pipes for the pedal division. All these additions are putting a strain on our blower. We have obtained a larger one which will require enlarging the blower room. In addition we will be adding a separate regulator for the pedal 16' pipe ranks.
Watch this page for further updates!
Before, swell from treble end. After, swell from base end showing choir rank and tuning platform.
Above the swell; choir ranks, on far wall is the Vox Humana On the far left, the Clarinet rank
Below is the Great chamber. On the far wall is the new chime unit.
The 8' trumpets and above them you can just see one corner of the raised
Ceiling area for the 16 Trumpets not yet installed.
Some of the 16' Facade pipes in storage. These are BIG!
Last updated 4-3-02