Better Pipe Organ Database

Geo. Kilgen & Son, Inc. Opus 5011 (1933)

First Reformed Church: Sanctuary
302 Academy Street
Kalamazoo, MI

Note: Not extant. Not playable. (in this location)

Images

2012-04-24 - Console (Photograph by Chad Boorsma/Database Manager)

2012-04-24 - Builder's Nameplate (Photograph by Chad Boorsma/Database Manager)

2012-04-24 - Sanctuary Interior, Chancel, and Chamber Grillework (Photograph by Chad Boorsma/Database Manager)

2012-04-24 - Sanctuary Interior and Chancel (Photograph by Chad Boorsma/Database Manager)

2012-04-24 - Swell Pipework (Photograph by Chad Boorsma/Database Manager)

2011-06-30 - Church Exterior (Photograph by Chad Boorsma/Database Manager)

1940-05-02 - Church Exterior (Image from Church Anniversary Book/Database Manager)

1940-05-02 - Console and John W. Weenink, Church Organist (Image from Church Anniversary Book/Database Manager)

Consoles

Main

Organ type: Traditional With Roll Top
Console position: Console in Fixed Position, Center
3 manuals
36 stops
4 divisions
Stop layout Type: Stop Keys Above Top Manual
Manual compass: 61 notes
Pedal compass: 32 notes
Pedal Type: Concave Radiating (Meeting AGO Standards)
Expression Type: Balanced Expression Shoes/Pedals (Meeting AGO Standards)
Has crescendo
Combination action: 'Hold and Set' Pneumatic/Mechanical
Has combination thumb pistons
Has tutti toe pistons

Notes

2006-10-06 - Information from the Kilgen Ledger Index. -Database Manager

2011-06-25 - The organ was purchased for $6,500. Originally there were exposed pipes facing the chancel, but after sanctuary remodeling projects (perhaps in the 1970's), those were either removed or relocated inside the chambers. First Reformed Church closed its doors in 2003. The River, a new Reformed congregation, now uses the building. The organ is still in the building, but the console has been disconnected and is sitting in a corner of the sanctuary. -Database Manager

2012-04-25 - From looking in the Swell chamber during a visit to the church, it was clear that some ranks were not original to the 1933 installation. They may have been additions, or they may have replaced original ranks. -Database Manager

2014-06-28 - The organ pipes were removed in late 2012 by Swem Pipe Organ Maintenance. Some ranks were added to the organ at St. Alphonsus Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Trumpet rank is now part of the organ at Beaverdam Reformed Church in Zeeland, Michigan. -Database Manager

2015-06-29 - The River moved from this location in 2014 to a different facility. The building is currently for sale. -Database Manager

Stoplist

Stoplist taken from the console (April 24, 2012) Source: Source not recorded Date not recorded

Kalamazoo, Michigan
FIRST REFORMED CHURCH

Kilgen Organ Company     Opus 5011     1933
________________________________________________________________________________________________

GREAT:                  SWELL:                     CHOIR:                    PEDAL:
   8' Principal            16' Contra Gamba           8' Still Gedeckt         16' Bourdon
   8' Melodia               8' Holz Gedeckt           8' Dulciana              16' Viol D'Gamba
   4' Octave                8' Viol D'Gamba           8' Unda Maris             8' Octave
   2' Super Octave          8' Viol Celeste           4' Klein Principal        8' Pommer
 III  Fourniture            4' Geigen Principal       4' Copula                 4' Super Octave
   8' Trumpet               4' Koppelflöte            4' Dulcet                16' Trombone
   4' Clarion           2 2/3' Nasard                 2' Klein Octave           4' Clarinet
      Chimes                2' Gedeckt Flöte          1' Sifflöte 
                        1 1/3' Larigot                8' Clarinet
                            8' English Horn              Tremulant
                               Tremulant                 Harp

[Received online from Chad Boorsma • April 24, 2012]

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