2022-03-18 - This entry represents the installation of a used, relocated organ. The organ was originally built by W. W. Kimball Co. of Chicago for the Congregational Church in Woodstock, Illinois. The Church later became known as the Congregational Universalist Church. At some undocumented time, the Pedal division was electrified by an unknown person or firm. In 1985, after an evaluation report by Michael and Susan Friesen for the church, the organ was rebuilt by the Prairie Organ Co. (later, Bradford Organ Co.) of Evanston, Illinois. This included replacing the original Swell 8' Aeoline with a new 2' Piccolo. The Aeoline pipes were cleaned and packed in the organ. The church was later sold and became the Blue Lotus Buddhist Temple. That organization sold the Kimball organ to The Starline Factory in Harvard, Illinois. Part of the factory grounds and buildings was developed as a wedding event venue, and the organ was reinstalled in their Hunt Chapel. -Jim Stettner
Source: Prairie Organ Co. documents 1985
Harvard, Illinois
The Starline Factory, Inc.
W.W. Kimball Co., 1906
Prairie Organ Co., 1985 - Refurbishing & Tonal Changes
Unknown Builder, 200_ - Relocation and Re-installation
GREAT - 61 notes
8’ Open Diapason 61
8’ Gamba 61
8’ Melodia 61
8’ Dulciana 49 1-12 common with Melodia
Great Sub Octave
Great Super Octave
SWELL (Expressive - 61 notes)
8’ Violin Diapason 61
8’ Stop’d Diapason 61
8’ Salicional 61
4’ Flute Harmonic 61
2’ Piccolo 61 Replaced an original 8' Aeoline
8’ Oboe & Bassoon 61
Tremolo
Swell Sub Octave
Swell Super Octave
PEDAL - 30 notes
16’ Bourdon 30
INTER-DIVISIONAL COUPLERS
Swell to Pedal
Great to Pedal
Swell to Great
FOOT LEVERS
Undocumented
PEDAL MOVEMENTS
Swell Expression (bal.)
Crescendo (bal.)
ACCESSORIES
Wind Indicator
Bellows Signal
NOTES
The Swell Aeoline, original to the Kimball, was repaired, crated and
stored within the organ chamber. All divisions were winded by a common
triple-rise reservoir, which was set at 3 3/8” of windpressure. While
releathering this reservoir was included in the contract (and had to be
done in place, as it proved too large to remove), the original pair of
bellows which enabled foot-pumping were not restored, though they were
left attached to the reservoir.
Michael and Susan Friesen, organists and members of the Chicago chapter
of OHS, inspected the organ in early 1985 at the request of one of the
church’s two pastors, Rev. Stephen C. Washburn. On February 12 of that
year they sent their analysis and recommendations to Rev. Washburn; their
letter has proved very helpful in clarifying many details regarding the
organ, and I have appended it as a document to this Database entry.Regrettably, it is not possible to display the information about the sponsor of this pipeorgandatabase entry or if there is a sponsor. Please see About Sponsors on Pipe Organ Database.