Better Pipe Organ Database

Schantz Organ Co. Opus 39 (1948)

Union City Methodist Church
Oak & Plum Street
Union City, IN

Images

2014-07-01 - Grill covering pipe chambers (Photograph by Timothy E. Conyers/Database Manager)

2014-07-01 - Chancel (Photograph by Timothy E. Conyers/Database Manager)

2014-07-01 - Church Exterior (Photograph by Timothy E. Conyers/Database Manager)

2014-07-01 - Resurrection Stained Glass Window (Photograph by Timothy E. Conyers/Database Manager)

2014-07-01 - Good Shepherd Stained Glass Window (Photograph by Timothy E. Conyers/Database Manager)

2014-07-01 - Christ in the Garden Stained Glass Window (Photograph by Timothy E. Conyers/Database Manager)

Consoles

Main

Organ type: Traditional With Roll Top
Console position: Console in Fixed Position, Right
2 manuals
11 stops
20 registers
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: 'Hold and Set' Pneumatic/Mechanical
Has combination thumb pistons
Has tutti toe pistons

Notes

2011-08-25 - Identified through online information from Jeff Scofield. -Database Manager

2012-09-17 - Updated through online information from Timothy E. Conyers. -- This organ is a rebuild and of an older instrument built by Salem Church Organ Company of Salem, Ohio. The original instrument was the first pipe organ built in Randolph County, Indiana. It was installed in the congregation's second building. In 1909 it was moved into the current building with no alterations being made. There was a water powered motor which was later removed at an unknown date and an electric motor installed. In 1948 the organ was rebuilt by Schantz Organ Company of Orrville, Ohio, with the majority of pipework from 1897 being reused due to material shortages following World War II. Records indicate little revoicing of existing ranks occurred, thus the original instrument has been preserved. A few additions were made, most notable are a Deagan class D chime of 21 tubular bells; a 49 note set of Harps; and a Gemshorn 16' rank of pipes in the pedal division. A tower broadcasting system was also added which allowed the chimes and/or the organ to be heard from the bell tower. (Note: This broadcasting system was removed sometime after 1995). During the organ rebuild, the pipes were removed from the pulpit area and into new chambers built in the old balcony area on the right side of the nave. A decorative screen was designed to cover the chambers. Both chambers are under expression. A new detached console was placed on the right front side of the newly designed chancel area. The console is stationary and cannot be moved due to the platform railing, a wall and the platform itself encircling the console. A small opening in the railing allows access to the console. The new location of the pipe chambers made it difficult for the choir to hear the organ in the newly created chancel apse. The apse had been the former organ chamber. The new divided chancel choir arrangement placed most of the choir further into the apse where the organ was not heard due to walls separating the choir and organ sound. The distance from the pipes was also an issue. It was necessary to place a microphone in each chamber and amply the sound over speakers hidden in the chancel. This resulted in the instrument being amplified throughout the sanctuary, a much needed improvement due to the deep chambers. (Note: This amplification system was removed sometime after 1995 when there was no longer a choir and the divided choir stalls where removed. As a result the entire instrument is much quieter than previously even with all the stops pulled). For many years the Harp Celeste and Harp Vibrato was unplayable. In the early 1990's the system was "restored" to playable condition. Historical research complied by Timothy E. Conyers, former organist, for a recital he gave in 1992. Sources: church records, Schantz Organ Co. records and old newspaper articles. -Database Manager

2013-01-10 - Updated through online information from Timothy E., Conyers. -- There are a total of nine thumb pistons, three for each manual and three general. There is a Great to Pedal 8ft reversible toe stud; a Sforzando reversible toe stud; Balanced Swell pedal; Balanced Great pedal and a Crescendo pedal. -Database Manager

2023-09-23 - This congregation left the United Methodist denomination in December 2022. It is now an independent congregation. The historic name was change by dropping the word, "United" out of the title and became simply, "Wesley Methodist Church." The organ remains intact and is still used occassionally. -Timothy E. Conyers

Stoplist

Stoplist taken from console Source: Source not recorded December 27, 1992

Union City, Indiana
Union City Methodist Church (Wesley United Methodist)

SCHANTZ ORGAN CO., Opus 39, 1948
_____________________________________________________

GREAT (Expressive)                           COUPLERS            
  8     Open Diapason                          Swell to Pedal               8
  8     Melodia                                Great to Pedal               8,4
  8     Dulciana
  4     Octave                                 Swell to Great            16,8,4
  II    Mixture
        Tremulant
        Chimes                (21)           FINGER PISTONS
                                               Undocumented
  Great 16
  Great Unison Off
  Great 4                                    TOE STUDS
                                               Undocumented

SWELL (Expressive)
  16    Bourdon                              PEDAL MOVEMENTS
  8     Diapason                               Swell Expression          (bal.)
  8     Stopped Diapason                       Great Expression          (bal.)
  8     Salicional                             Crescendo                 (bal.)
  8     Vox Celeste
  4     Flute D' Amour
  2 2/3 Nazard
  2     Flautino
  8     Flugel Horn
        Tremulant
  Harp Celeste                (49)
  Harp Vibrato

  Swell 16
  Swell Unison Off
  Swell 4
                                             ACTION: Electro-Pneumatic

PEDAL (Expressive)                           VOICES: 11
  16    Gemshorn
  16    Lieblich Gedeckt                     STOPS: 23; inc. chimes & harp
  8     Principal
  8     Dulce Flute                          RANKS: 12
  5 1/3 Quinte
  4     Flute                                PIPES: 


NOTES
This organ is buried in chambers in the upper right side of sanctuary nave
and at a distance from the choir. A microphone was placed at the front of
each chamber so that the sound could be amplified into the chancel choir
area. It resulted in the instrument being amplified throughout the sanctuary.
This was removed sometime after 1995 when a new sound system was installed;
as a result the organ sounds much quieter than previously even when played
at full volume.

Detached stationary console on right side of platform. Organ chambers located
behind decorative screen on right upper side of sanctuary in remodeled old
balcony space.

Tower broadcasting system (removed sometime after 1995). Deagan class D
chimes of 21 tubular bells. 7 1/2 inch wind pressure.


[Received from Timothy E. Conyers 2012-09-11.]

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