2014-05-08 - This is a rebuild of an existing organ. Identified by Timothy E. Conyers, using information found in "A History of the First Baptist Church, Sanford, Florida 1884 - 1984" by Grace Marie Stinecipher. -- "1938 - The organ was rebuilt later this year by the Kilgen Organ Company, makers of the organ, at a cost of $1,000. This was paid off in 1939." Page 50, "A History of the First Baptist Church..." <br>No further details are given in the church history. The instrument was apparently enlarged a great deal as a photo of the console shows two long rows of stop keys located over the top keyboard and also several thumb pistons, more stops and pistons than described in the original 1920 instrument. Of interest is the fact the church made this purchase and paid off the dept all during the latter part of the Great Depression years. 1939 was also the year the Geo. Kilgen & Sons company was dissolved, thereby making this one of the last instrument rebuilds by the firm.<br>"1975 - On May 14, the special committee on organ financing recommended that the money given to the church from the Dyson Estate, over $10,000, be used toward the purchase of a new Allen computer organ. The deacons amended this to allow a 90 day period from the date of installation for the congregation to donate toward the balance due, and after such period, any remainder would be financed. This was approved." Page 146 "A History of the First Baptist Church..."<br>The historical record does not indicate if the Allen organ is a totally electronic instrument or a combination pipe-digital instrument.<br>The congregation has recently built a new larger sanctuary adjacent to the old building. Photos on the church's Facebook page show a newer two manual console with lighted draw-knobs - (a feature common to Rogers and Allen digital instruments). The state of the old pipe organ is unknown at this time. -Database Manager
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