2008-04-29 - Identified through on-line information from Josh Sellner. -- Rebuilt substantially using original pipework and some casework by Wicks in 1947. -Database Manager
2011-01-21 - Updated through on-line information from Richard C Greene. -Database Manager
2011-06-23 - Updated through on-line information from Josh Sellner. -- Was originally tubular pneumatic; converted to electro pneumatic by E. Vogelpohl in 1924-25. -Database Manager
2024-09-05 - I recently found definitive proof (a local newspaper article with the name of the builder dating from the time of installation) that the organ...was built by William Schuelke and NOT Bernard Schaefer. -- email from Josh Sellner, 2024-09-04 -Paul R. Marchesano
2024-09-06 - According to a history of St. Mary's Parish written in 1926 by Fr. Francis Schaefer for its Golden Jubilee, the organ was erroneously stated to have been built by B. Schaefer of Schleisingerville, Wisconsin. An article from the Sleepy Eye Herald-Dispatch published on August 23, 1907 has surfaced (Summer 2024) and states that the organ was built by William Schuelke of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The organ as installed by Schuelke in 1907 was winded with feeders powered by a water motor and utilized tubular pneumatic key and stop actions controlling Schuelke's patented membrane chests. A 1.5hp Zephyr electric blower was installed by H. H. Vogelpohl & Sons of New Ulm, Minnesota in 1920 at a cost of $375.50. A generator was installed and the key and stop actions were electrified by Ernest C. Vogelpohl of New Ulm in the summer of 1925 at a cost of $833.90. This organ contained metal pipes made by the Anton Gottfried Co. of Erie, PA. A large portion of the pipework was reused in the 1947 Wicks rebuild and a large majority of the Gottfried/Schuelke pipework is still extant in the organ in 2024. The longest spotted metal pipe in each old rank is inscribed on the back of the body near the seam: "A. Gottfried & Co. Makers 1907 - Voiced". According to reliable sources, Schuelke was known to subcontract his pipework from time to time to either the Gottfried or Pierce pipemakers if he needed to provide a more competitive bid or if he was on a tight completion schedule for a given instrument. -Josh Sellner
Metal pipework in this organ was made in 1907 by the Anton Gottfried Company in Erie, Pennsylvania, and was reused in the current 1947 Wicks pipe organ. Source: Typed stoplist
Great Bourdon 16, Melodia 8, Gamba 8, Open Diapason 8, Dulciana 8, Octave 4, Wald Flute 4, Quint 2 2/3, Octave 2, Dolce Cornet III
Swell Gedeckt 16, Geigen Principal 8, Gedeckt 8, Gemshorn 8, Aeoline 8, Flauto Amabile 8, Violin 4, Rohr Flute 4, Piccolo 2, Oboe Gamba 8
Pedal Double Open Diapason 16, Sub Bass 16, Octave Bass 8, Cello 8
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![Article describing the organ when it arrived in Sleepy Eye to be installed. The article reads "It was ordered about four months ago and has required the skilled workmanship of fourteen men for three months to complete it. It is of the latest pattern [sic; should be latest PATENT] with improved pneumatic action, making the touch the same as a piano." The patent tidbit refers to Schuelke's patented membrane windchest action.](https://api.pipeorgandatabase.org/uploads/documents/hGnK1A1qN9_StMarysSchuelkeOrgan8-23-1907SEHerald.jpg){kind=link}