Better Pipe Organ Database

Geo. Kilgen & Son, Inc. (1910)

First Methodist Episcopal Church
704 Eighth Street
Baldwin City, KS

Note: Not extant. Not playable. (in this location)

Images

Unknown - Organ facade and choir area, ca. 1910. (Vintage postcard, courtesy of William Dunklin/Database Manager)

Consoles

Main

30 stops

Notes

2013-11-18 - This entry describes an original installation of a new pipe organ. Identified by William Dunklin, using information from this web site: http://www.baldwinfirst.org/our-history/41-the-organ. -- From the church's website: <br>During the pastorate of Dr. R. B. Kester (1910 - 1915), a new organ was installed. The organ came as a gift of Mrs. Nan Beeks Goodwin, given in memory of her beloved parents, Christopher B. and Hannah J. Beeks. Mr. and Mrs. Beeks moved to Baldwin in 1859 when church services were held in the "Old Castle". Mr. Beeks became a trustee of the fledgling congregation, and Mrs. Beeks was an officer of the Ladies Sewing Circle when that group assumed responsibility of erecting the new church. Mr. Beeks died in 1888 and Mrs. Beeks in 1902. The church accepted with gratitude "this beautiful organ presented in memory of two pioneers of Kansas, who with those other noble souls, made Baldwin more than a promise of what is to be." (Dedication Week Service folder, Dec. 11-18, 1910) A note in the Dec. 23, 1910 Baldwin Ledger after the Dec. 11 cantata and the Dec. 18 dedication service stated: "Baldwin, without doubt, has an organ superior to any in any adjacent city and is far superior to those in all towns three times the size of Baldwin." -Database Manager

2013-11-21 - Updated through online information from William Dunklin. -Database Manager

2013-11-23 - Updated through online information from David Lewis. -- According to the same church web site, the organ was built and installed by Kilgen at the approximate cost of $4,000. The building was destroyed by fire in 1930. -Database Manager