A. B. Felgemaker Co. Opus 1127 (1912 ca.)

1994 - Church exterior (Photograph from an archival source: Aerial survey, submitted by J. A. Hefner/J. A. Hefner)

2024-01-12 - Church exterior (Photograph by J. A. Hefner/J. A. Hefner)

2024-01-12 - Organ in sanctuary (Photograph by J. A. Hefner/J. A. Hefner)

2024-01-12 - Chuck-slot in case (former pump handle mount?) (Photograph by J. A. Hefner/J. A. Hefner)

2024-01-12 - Internal mechanism tubing on opposite side (Photograph by J. A. Hefner/J. A. Hefner)

2024-01-12 - Internal mechanism tubing (Photograph by J. A. Hefner/J. A. Hefner)

2024-01-12 - Façade pipes and wood pipes on side, showing back of façade pipes (Photograph by J. A. Hefner/J. A. Hefner)

2024-01-12 - Wood pipes on opposite side of case (Photograph by J. A. Hefner/J. A. Hefner)

2024-01-12 - Wood pipes visible from side (Photograph by J. A. Hefner/J. A. Hefner)

2024-01-12 - Console and original bench (Photograph by J. A. Hefner/J. A. Hefner)

2024-01-12 - Console and facade pipes, showing bichrome scheme (Photograph by J. A. Hefner/J. A. Hefner)

2024-01-12 - Console and façade pipes (Photograph by J. A. Hefner/J. A. Hefner)

2024-01-12 - Combination-action piston - harmonium-esque octave coupler/extender (Photograph by J. A. Hefner/J. A. Hefner)

2024-01-12 - Combination-action coupler pistons (Photograph by J. A. Hefner/J. A. Hefner)

2024-01-12 - Filigree, ABF-monogram volume pedals (Swell on left, Crescendo on right) (Photograph by J. A. Hefner/J. A. Hefner)

2024-01-12 - Right stopjamb and Opus Plate (Photograph by J. A. Hefner/J. A. Hefner)

2024-01-12 - Right stopjamb closeup (Photograph by J. A. Hefner/J. A. Hefner)

2024-01-12 - Left stopjamb (Photograph by J. A. Hefner/J. A. Hefner)

2024-01-12 - Crescendo volume indicator dial (Crescendo-organ mechanism works, but dial does not) (Photograph by J. A. Hefner/J. A. Hefner)

2024-01-12 - Wind indicator dial (non-functional) (Photograph by J. A. Hefner/J. A. Hefner)

2024-01-12 - Felgemaker Opus Plate above right stop jamb (Photograph by J. A. Hefner/J. A. Hefner)

2024-01-12 - Builder's nameplate above left stop jamb (Photograph by J. A. Hefner/J. A. Hefner)

2024-01-12 - Console closeup (Photograph by J. A. Hefner/J. A. Hefner)

2024-01-12 - Console, showing manuals, stops, and combination-action controls (Photograph by J. A. Hefner/J. A. Hefner)

2024-01-12 - Facade pipes (Photograph by J. A. Hefner/J. A. Hefner)

2024-01-12 - Felgemaker Opus 1127 - organ in chancel (Photograph by J. A. Hefner/J. A. Hefner)

ca. 2010s-2020s - Pipe façade still visible as of 2010s-2020s (Photograph by Church Facebook, submitted by J. A. Hefner/J. A. Hefner)

ca. 1910 - Church exterior (Photograph from an archival source: Vintage postcard, submitted by Jim Stettner/Jim Stettner)

ca. 1907 - Organ case in front (Photograph from an archival source: Vintage postcard, submitted by Jim Stettner/Jim Stettner)

Consoles

Keydesk

Notes

2024-01-06 - As of 2018, the church "has a large pipe organ inside" - https://vintageaerial.com/photos/ohio/delaware/1994/ODE/33/19 - not clear from church Facebook photo if the console is still there, but the case and facade are still present -J. A. Hefner

2024-01-13 - I recently got to see the pipe organ - it's Felgemaker opus 1127, ca. 1910's [attempting to see the factory ledger if it survives]. It appears and sounds mostly original, with some slight changes. The pedalboard is concave-radiating, possibly a replacement, and the bellows-signal now engages the blower. There is some combination action - piston-activated - as well as a Crescendo mechanism and neat super-octave coupler. The left filigree-ABF pedal is the swell shoe, and the right pedal is Crescendo. It plays well and is currently maintained by Peebles-Herzog. The church is now an independent community church, no longer Methodist, and the stone placard appears to read "Belknap Chapel" [Belkamp?]. -J. A. Hefner

2024-02-25 - Information on the organ from a framed, printed "plaque", courtesy organist Candy Staley: "The pipe organ was built and installed in the church by the A. B. Felgemaker Organ Company of Erie PA in 1912 at a total cost of $2,500. When first installed, the organ had to be pumped by hand. Now, the bellows are filled by a blower that is operated by electricity. The organ was originally located at the north end of the sanctuary, but when the church was remodeled around 1915, the organ was moved to its present location. In 2009, the pipe organ underwent its second restoration, with the organ rededicated to the glory of God in October 2009. Tonight's music is being provided by organist, Margaret Van Sickle. Our church has been blessed with many fine musicians over the years, and we extend our gratitude for Margaret for sharing her musical gifts with us as we celebrate the 'Christmas in Ashley' event." More from Candy Staley: "[I] met a woman who used to attend [the Ashley church]. She was telling me that her mother was instrumental (no pun intended) in the refurbishment of the [Felgemaker] organ in the 70s...The pipes were taken to PPG in Delaware where any kinks were removed and then painted. [Ed: this explains the different finish from the 1910s photo] She also said that there is another organ just like ours in Arlington, Ohio at the Methodist church [Ed: a Möller from the early 1900s]...I believe the woman said her name was Vicki Tilton [sic] (she is a professional singer)." -J. A. Hefner

Stoplist

Stop labels do not appear to be original. Stoplist may be from a rebuilt state at unknown date Source: Taken from console photos

Swell to Pedal (Swell to Pedal), Great to Pedal (Great to Pedal), Swell to Great (Swell to Great), Swell to Great 4 (Swell to Great Super Octave)

Websites

Better Pipe Organ Database

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Consoles

Keydesk

Notes

Stoplist

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