c 1910 - Organ facade (Photograph from an archival source: Vintage postcard, submitted by Rick Erickson/Rick Erickson)
2022-02-05 - According to the history page at the church's website, the first church building on the site at the corner of 7th Street and Nebraska Avenue was dedicated on February 27, 1886. This structure burned to the ground on October 16, 1895. An unnamed historian is quoted as writing: "The Sunday after the fire the congregation assembled in an empty store room on the south side of the square, fitted with a pulpit, a few pews and the organ [a reed organ?] which had been saved from the fire. We had a stirring sermon from Pastor John W. Stewart and at the close, an appeal for money to rebuild the church, and in an incredible [*sic*] short time, $6000 had been subscribed." The new building on the same site was dedicated on October 17, 1896, and still stands today. The sanctuary was remodeled in 1976. Nothing further is said about an organ in the church. The *York Times*, September 14, 1899, reported the installation of the Kilgen organ: The grand new pipe organ for the Methodist church was delivered yesterday. It is a monstrous affair weighing two and one-half tons and is as fine as it is large. The committee in charge has accepted the instrument and next Monday C. C. Kilgren [*sic*] of the St. Louis firm of Kilgren & Son, will be here to adjust the parts and set it in working order. Those who have subscribed to this fund will kindly pay to A. C. Snyder the amount of their subscription at their earliest possible convenience. A few more dollars are wanted to finish paying for this divine instrument. You will like the music better if you aid in this collection. According to the "Kilgen Organ Opus List," the organ was a "II/18." Sources: "From Tuesday's Daily" (column), *York (NE) TImes*, September 14, 1899, 8, Newspapers.com, accessed February 5, 2022, https://www.newspapers.com/image/768359446/. "Kilgen Organ Opus List," undated document kindly provided by Rollin Smith. "The York Methodist Church," Methodist Episcopal Church, York, Nebraska, accessed February 5, 2022, http://www.yorkumc.com/ourhistory.php. -Charles Eberline
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