2013-05-23 - This entry describes an original installation of a new pipe organ. Identified by John Speller, using information found in "The Diapason,� 1:12 (November 1910), p 2.. -- The Eberhardt-Hays Music Company of Wichita, Kansas was a partnership of Erwin Henry Eberhardt (1872-1947) and Frank Delmar Hays (1873-1940). They owned a music factory which built pianos. They probably acted as the agent of some other organ builder in supplying the organ to the German Methodist Church, which cost $2,150. The church is now known as Calvary United Methodist Church, Wichita, Kansas. -Database Manager
2025-01-26 - "Church Gets a Pipe Organ: Two Thousand Dollar Instrument Installed by German M. E. Church," Wichita Eagle, Thursday morning, September 29, 1910, 12, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/64431412: A new pipe organ arrived yesterday and is being installed in the German Methodist church by the Eberhardt-Hays Music Company. The organ will cost $2,150. While a small organ, it will be entirely complete, having all the modern accessories. This note in the Wichita Beacon was most likely the source of the note "Small, but Is Complete," The Diapason, November 1910, [2]: A new pipe organ has been installed in the German Methodist church of Wichita, Kan., by the Eberhardt-Hays Music Company. The organ cost $2,150. While a small instrument, it is complete, having all the modern accessories. The builder was identified in "German Church to Be Dedicated: Services Will Be Held When It Is Completed," Wichita Beacon, Tuesday, October 11, 1910, 4, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/76327464: "A Kimball pipe organ, costing $2,150, is being installed." (See the complete article under "Documents.") Eberhardt-Hays was undoubtedly acting as Kimball's local agent. The address of the new church edifice, built at a cost of $20,000, was "Lulu and Prince streets." "Services in Two Languages: German and English May Enjoy Dedication of German M. E. Church," Wichita Beacon, Tuesday, December 6, 1910, 6, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/76333396, announced "four days of dedication" of the new German Methodist Episcopal Church on December 7, 8, 9, and 11, beginning with an organ recital on December 7. The fate of the organ is unknown, but it is highly unlikely that it is extant. -Charles Eberline
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