Note: Not extant. Not playable. (in this location)
2012-05-30 - Identified through online information from T. Daniel Hancock. -- The "Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Springfield, Illinois, Dedicated September 22, 1889�[locally published church history] reports: "The Schoknecht Memorial Organ was dedicated on March 1939 and retired on February 1972. Starting with the original two-manual Austin pipe organ formerly installed in the residence of A. J. Nutting, Brooklyn, New York, the Gratian Organ Builders of Bunker Hill, Illinois and Midmer-Losh Pipe Organ Service of Merrick, Long Island, New York, built the Austin-Midmer-Losh Pipe Organ comprising three manuals, echo, and pedals at a cost of $8,700. Specifications included: 45 ranks of pipes; 50 speaking stop; 23 couplers; 32 adjustable combination pistons; 2697 speaking pipes; 7 pedal movements; 1 crescendo indicator; 1 organ bench; 25 chimes; and 54 harp bars and resonators. In 1942, efforts to repair the Stop knob mechanism were not successful. In September, 1945, Austin Organs, Inc. of Hartford, Connecticut contracted to build a four-manual console at a cost of $4,750. Installation was completed the middle part of 1947. During the next twelve years, extensive deterioration took place. In May of 1959, the organ was repaired and cleaned. From then through the end of 1962, a new relay remedied the cypher problem. Removal of the Pedal double-open 16- top and the removal of a wall enhanced the organ-s speaking power. Also, grill cloths replaced solid wood panels. However, because of continued malfunction, Paul G. Bunjes, Concordia Teachers College, River Forest, Illinois was asked to survey the situation. As a result, on June 20, 1962 he recommended the planning and purchasing of an entirely new organ. However, it was decided to continue with repairs to the old organ. These repairs, worth between eight and ten thousand dollars, cost Trinity approximately $2,000 and were carried out by Mr. David Brent, who kept the organ operable from 1963 until its removal. With the appointment early in 1970 of the Organ Committee: Chairman, Frank Schwarz, Board of Missions and Worship; Fred Brent, Board of Property Management and H. Allen Herbst, Music Director, the necessary study and planning of our new organ began in earnest. The committee, assisted by Mr. David Brent and Mr. Milo Lombard, evaluated installations in Decatur, Jacksonville, Quincy, Keokuk, St. Louis and Springfield. The Casavant Organ is the result of that year-s study. The contract with Casavant Freres Limitee was signed in May, 1971. Delivery was made thirteen months later. Installation and final voicing were completed in October, 1972." -Database Manager
2012-08-06 - Updated through online information from T. Daniel Hancock. -Database Manager
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