2000-06-06 - Façade pipes (Photograph by James R. Stettner/Database Manager)
2000-06-06 - Organ (Photograph by James R. Stettner/Database Manager)
2000-06-06 - Console (Photograph by James R. Stettner/Database Manager)
2007-05-16 - Identified through online information from James R. Stettner. -- Additions to an existing Geo. Kilgen & Son organ previously electrified by an unknown individual or firm in 1932. Pedalboard is 32 notes, but Pedal 16' Bourdon is 30 pipes. 8' Flute from Bourdon only plays for 18 notes. 8' Gemshorn added to Great; previously added 16' Violone (12 pipes) removed. Concussion bellows added to both Swell and Great. -Database Manager
Stoplist copied from the console 1992 Source: Source not recorded Date not recorded
Seattle, Washington
Immanuel Lutheran Church
GEO. KILGEN & SON, Opus ____, 1914
Unknown Builder, Opus ___, 1932 - Electrification & Moving
Balcom & Vaughan, Opus 428, 1945 - Additions
GREAT (Expressive) COUPLERS
8 Open Diapason 61 Swell to Pedal 8,4
8 Concert Flute 61 Great to Pedal 8
8 Gemshorn 61
8 Dulciana 61 Swell to Great 16,8,4
blank
4 Flute 61
blank FINGER PISTONS
Chimes ( ; A 22-e 41 (20) General 1 - 5
Swell 1 - 4
Great 16' Sw. to Ped. (rev)
Great Unison Off Great 1 - 4
Great 4' Gt. to Ped. (rev)
Sforz (rev)
6 [cancel]
SWELL (Expressive)
8 Diapason 61
8 Gedeckt 61 TOE STUDS
8 Viola 61 General 1 - 5
8 Salicional 61 Pedal 1 - 4
blank Sw. to Ped. (rev)
4 Harmonic Flute 61 Gt. to Ped. (rev)
blank Sforz. (rev)
blank
8 Trumpet 61
blank PEDAL MOVEMENTS
Tremulant Swell Expression (bal.)
Great Expression (bal.)
Swell 16' Crescendo (bal.)
Swell Unison Off
Swell 4'
PEDAL ACTION: E-P & D-E
blank
blank VOICES: 12
blank
16 Bourdon 30 STOPS: 14; inc. chimes
blank
8 Flute (18 notes) -- RANKS: 12
blank
blank PIPES: 701
NOTES
As originally installed, the organ was placed on the front, left side of the sanctuary.
It was in a free-standing case of oak, portions of which were quarter-sawn, and was
stained a medium brown. The façade contained 33 pipes, which included the first 17 pipes
of the Great 8' Open Diapason, which were the only speaking pipes. The remaining 16 were
decorative and for symmetry. The façade layout was three flats separated by two towers
and arranged: 5-5-13-5-5. All of these were painted gold.
In 1932, the congregation decided to remodel the church (again). This included enlarging
the front choir loft, and the electrification and relocation of the Kilgen to divided
chambers at the back of the loft with the Great on the left and the Swell on the right.
The Pedal 16' Sub Bass was installed in the Great chamber. It is not known who moved the
organ and electrified the original tubular-pneumatic action, but it seems likely that it
was Balcom and Vaughan. They had been in existence since the early 1920's, and were the
regional Reps for the Kilgen Organ Co. Unfortunately, there is no entry for Immanuel
Lutheran Church on the Balcom and Vaughan opus list until additions were made in 1945,
however the early years are poorly documented. The 30 non-speaking pipes of the original
façade were placed in front of the shutters on both sides as a pipe fence. At some point
they were re-painted silver. From extant photos in the choir room, it appears that a new
console was provided at the time of the electrification in 1932. It is easy to count 30
tablets controlling stops and couplers. The printed church history records that the
original keydesk had only 18 controls.
At an undocumented time, an 8' Cornopean was added to the Swell on a unit-style chest. It
holds 73 pipes which would allow the Cornopean to play at both 8' an 4' pitches. However,
the 12 pipes needed for the 4' extension are not present and apparently never were. The
chest upon which the pipes are racked is marked “Vox Humana.” Also added was a 16' Pedal
Violone of 12 pipes with a chest. It is unknown if this was added as an extension of
something else, or it's own non full-compass Pedal stop. The Kilgen chests were built as
straight chests which precludes the ability to use pipes at multiple pitches on more than
one division at a time. The first 17 pipes of the Great 8' Open Diapason are on a unit-
style chest, so with the 16' Violone pipes it would have provided 29 notes on a pedalboard
which had 30 notes.
In 1945, Balcom and Vaughan added an 8' Gemshorn stop to the Great on a new chest. At this
same time they also removed the previously added 16' Violone pipes. A Tremolo was added to
the Great division. And both the Great and Swell had concussion bellows added to absorb
wind shock when large chords were played in rapid succession. Lastly, a 1½ horsepower
single phase motor was substituted for the one in-use, and a better quality, used D.C.
generator was also substituted. This was done as Balcom and Vaughan's Opus 428.
Sources: Balcom and Vaughan opus list and files; JRS; extant organ
[Received from James R. Stettner 2016-01-27.]Regrettably, it is not possible to display the information about the sponsor of this pipeorgandatabase entry or if there is a sponsor. Please see About Sponsors on Pipe Organ Database.