Better Pipe Organ Database

Swem Pipe Organ Maintenance (1974)

West Leonard Christian Reformed Church: Sanctuary
1053 Leonard Street NW
Grand Rapids, MI

Images

2014-06-22 - Church Exterior (Photograph by Chad Boorsma/Database Manager)

2013-08-10 - Swell Pipework (Photograph by Chad Boorsma/Database Manager)

2013-08-10 - Great Pipework (Photograph by Chad Boorsma/Database Manager)

2013-08-10 - Sanctuary Interior and Chancel (Photograph by Chad Boorsma/Database Manager)

2013-08-10 - Console, Nave, and Chamber Grillework (Photograph by Chad Boorsma/Database Manager)

2013-08-10 - Console (Photograph by Chad Boorsma/Database Manager)

2013-08-10 - Nave and Balcony (Photograph by Chad Boorsma/Database Manager)

2013-08-10 - Balcony Stained Glass Window (Photograph by Chad Boorsma/Database Manager)

2013-08-10 - West Stained Glass Window (Photograph by Chad Boorsma/Database Manager)

Consoles

Main

Organ type: Traditional With Roll Top
Console position: Console in Fixed Position, Left
2 manuals
28 stops
3 divisions
Key action Type: Electrical
Stop action Type: Electrical
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: Adjustable Combination Pistons
Has combination thumb pistons
Has coupler toe pistons

Notes

2009-08-26 - Identified through on-line information from Chad Boorsma -- This instrument began as a tracker instrument built by the Hillgreen, Lane and Company in 1909. Repairs and improvements to the organ, including a new detached console, were completed in 1948 and likely included painting the facade pipes white. The organ chamber is located on the east side of the sanctuary. Prior to a 1962 remodeling of the sanctuary, the pews faced that direction in a semi-circular fashion with the pulpit in front of the organ chamber. It was during this remodeling that the pipes were covered by grillework. In 1974, the organ was given all new windchests (electro-pneumatic), a new Klann console, and tonal changes by Don Swem. Some of the original facades pipes are still used for the lower notes of the Great 8' Diapason. -Database Manager

2013-08-10 - In 2012, it was discovered the several of the Pedal Bourdon pipes were cracked. These remain in the chamber but were replaced tonally by Peterson digital sounds. -Database Manager

Stoplist

Stoplist taken from the console (August 3, 2009) Source: Source not recorded Date not recorded

Grand Rapids, Michigan
WEST LEONARD CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH

Swem Pipe Organ Company    18 ranks    1974    
________________________________________________________________

GREAT:                              SWELL:
    8’ Diapason 61                      8’ Violin Diapason 73
    8’ Dulciana 61                      8’ Bourdon 61
    8’ Gedeckt 61                       8’ Salicional 73
    8’ Gamba 61                         8’ Vox Celeste 61 [TC] 
    4’ Principal 61                     4’ Prestant 73
    4’ Harmonic Flute 61                4’ Flute 12
    2’ Fifteenth 12                 2 2/3’ Nazard
  III  Mixture 183                      2’ Piccolo 12
    8’ Trumpet 61                       8’ Oboe 73
    4’ Clarion 12                       8’ Cromorne 61
       Chimes                           4’ Cromorne 12
                                           Tremolo
PEDAL:                       
   16’ Bourdon 32 *                 COUPLERS:
   16’ Lieblich Gedeckt 12 [SW]         Swell to Great 16, 8, 4
    8’ Octave [GT]                      Swell to Pedal 8, 4
    8’ Flute 12                         Great to Pedal 8, 4
    8’ Trumpet [GT]                     Great 4
    4’ Clarion [GT]                     Swell 16, 4

COMBINATION ACTION:
   20 General Thumb Pistons

   * Some pipes replaced with Peterson digital sounds in 2012
     due to cracked pipes. 

[Received online from Chad Boorsma • August 10, 2013]

Related Pipe Organ Database Entries

#51848 - Hillgreen, Lane & Co. Opus 198 (1909)