1987-06-06 - Organ gallery (Photograph by James R. Stettner/Database Manager)
1987-06-06 - Console, pipes (Photograph by James R. Stettner/Database Manager)
Note: Not extant. Not playable. (in this location)
2005-12-26 - Identified through online information from James R. Stettner. -- The organ was installed in the rear gallery with the Great cantilevered off the center of the gallery rail, and the Swell in a chamber in the rear, right corner. Part of the Pedal was also exposed in the rear right side around the console. The organ was originally built for Kilworth Chapel at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. The Positiv division (I) was prepared-for, but never installed. It was replaced there in 1990 by a new 2-manual, 51-rank tracker action instrument built by the builder's son - Paul Fritts & Co. The R. Byard Fritts was sold to St. Luke's for less than $40,000.00 and installed by a parishioner. In 1997, St. Luke's built a new sanctuary, and elected to replace the pipe organ with an electronic substitute - despite its optional compatibility with pipes. The R. Byard Fritts was sold to a church in Ohio where a builder had plans to combine it with an existing Schlicker there. -Database Manager
2005-12-30 - Updated through online information from James R. Stettner. -Database Manager
Stoplist copied from the console June 1992 Source: Source not recorded Date not recorded
Federal Way, Washington
St. Luke's Lutheran Church
R. BYARD FRITTS, 1968 - Original Specifications
"The Walter and Grace Heath Organ"
GREAT POSITIV (Prepared For)
8 Principal 61 8 Gedeckt Pommer --
8 Spillflöte 61 8 Dolcan II (Sw) --
4 Prestant 61 4 Koppel Flöte --
4 Flute Octaviante 61 2 Principal --
2 Superoctave 61 1⅓ Larigot --
II-IV Mixture [ - ] 219 III Cymbel ---
8 Cromorne --
Great to Great 4' Tremulant
SWELL (Expressive) PEDAL
8 Rohrflöte 68 16 Principal (Gt) 12
8 Viole 68 16 Rohr Bourdon (Sw) 12
8 Viole Celeste 68 16 Contra Dolcan (prep) --
8 Dolcan II (prep) -- 8 Principal 32
4 Montre 68 8 Gedeckt (Sw) --
2-2/3 Nasard 61 4 Choral Bass 12
2 Block Flöte 61 4 Rohrflöte (Sw) --
III Plein Jeu [ - - ] 183 2 Octave 32
8 Trompette 68 III Mixture [15-19-22] 96
4 Hautbois (prep) -- 16 Contre Trompette 32
Tremulant 8 Trompette 12
8 Cromorne (Pos) --
Swell to Swell 16' 4 Klarine 12
Swell Unison Off
Swell to Swell 4'
FINGER PISTONS
COUPLERS General 1 - 4
Swell to Pedal 8,4 Swell 1 - 5
Great to Pedal 8 Great 1 - 4
Positiv to Pedal 8 Gt. to Ped. (rev)
Positiv 1 - 4
Swell to Great 16,8,4 Pedal 1 - 4
Positiv to Great 8 Sforz (rev)
Gen. Canc.
Swell to Positiv 16,8,4
TOE STUDS
PEDAL MOVEMENTS General 1 - 4
Swell Expression (bal.) Pedal 1 - 4
Crescendo (bal.) Sforz (rev)
ACTION: E-P VOICES: 18 STOPS: 25 RANKS: 25 PIPES: 1,421
(26 w/preps) (34 w/preps) (36 w/preps) (2,101 w/preps)
NOTES
This organ was built by Dr. R. Byard Fritts of Tacoma. The tonal design was also by Dr. Fritts
in consultation with Dr. Bruce Rodgers and Dr. Alma Oncley, both of whom were on the faculty
of the School of Music at the University of Puget Sound.
The organ was built for Kilworth Memorial Chapel, and was located in the front of that building
with the Swell division in a chamber above the altar, and the Great division cantilevered off
of the front wall with all of the pipework visible. The organ was replaced in 1990 with a II-
manual, 52-rank tracker action organ built by Paul Fritts & Co., who is the son of the original
builder.
The organ was purchased by St. Luke's Lutheran Church of Federal Way for under $40,000.00. It
was installed by a parishioner in the rear gallery of the church. The Great division was canti-
levered off of the rear gallery floor, still fully visible. The Swell was installed in a chamber
in the rear, right corner with some pedal pipework in front of the chamber and beside the console.
The Positiv division is still prepared for as are two stops on the Swell. The organ was dedicated
in its new home by Jeff Orr in 1989.
In 1997, St. Luke's built a new sanctuary, and installed a new, III-manual Rodgers electronic.
Despite the pipe compatibility of the Rodgers, the Fritts was offered for sale. It was ultimately
purchased by a church in Ohio whose organ technician had plans to combine it with their existing
Schlicker.
Sources: JRS; extant, moved organ.
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