The Pipe Organ Project - Saint Mark`s Episcopal Church, Beaver

Saint Mark’s Pipe Organ Project
Stages I, II & III Restoration and Upgrades
Stage I: Original Installation
When it became apparent that the parish needed to replace an older
electronic organ in 1999, a committee was formed to explore various
options. An older Wicks pipe organ, Opus 2057, was selected and
purchased in 2000 and installed by the seller. It included 195 pipes in
four ranks and 12 reeds.
The organ was given by Franklin and Violet Schettler by their children, and in
memory of the Rev. Curtis Kenitz, a long-time deacon of the church, by the
people of Saint Mark’s.
A dedication was held August 30, 2000 and the organ has played for church
services and programs to the present.
Stage II: Repair and Initial Upgrading
In 2007 a host of improvements were made to the organ. The cabinet was refinished and new fabric was
placed in the organ grills by parish members. A wood platform was also constructed by the congregation
so that the organ could be raised six inches and moved when needed on hidden casters.
Phase II also included a number of repairs and improvements made by the Hoppe Organ Company. A
digital power supply was incorporated into the cabinetry. A new tremolo unit was added as well. An efficient blower was purchased and a blower case was constructed and installed by the organ builder.
Because the organ was already MIDI capable on the swell manual the parish purchased an Ahlborn Archive Module 201 to add additional ranks of sounds to the organ. The new digital sounds were amplified
and expressed by adding two powerful Wharfedale Diamond Pro monitor speakers into the cabinet above
the existing pipes. This gave the organ improved ability to lead congregational singing.
Stage III: Final Upgrading
In 2014 the Vestry authorized the final stage of restoration and upgrading of the instrument. Occasional
problems with the old cotton-wound wiring and stops rendered some pipes inoperative. The Hoppe Organ Company was contracted with to upgrade all of the organ wiring and convert the old relay-style controls to modern digital boards. In addition, it gave the opportunity to incorporate the digital sounds
across two manuals and pedals, and to add six pistons under the great manual to set two combinations
of stops as well as auto bass and auto solo. Lighting of the manuals and pedals was upgraded to concealed LED units.
The main board is a Syndyne 5600k processor board which communicates to auxiliary boards to control
the two key manuals and pedals. All new tongue-style tabs were incorporated, along with all new wiring
to the wind chests.
A new transposer feature was added to allow the organist to raise or lower the pitch of the organ when
desired. A MIDI recorder/playback unit is being added to provide capability to record or play hymns
when an organist isn’t available.
The completed project retains the organ’s classic charm while enjoying the added features and dependability of a digital instrument. Altogether this provides greater variety, brilliance, and power that should
play for generations to come.
Above, left, the old cotton-covered wiring and relay system Above, right, the Syndyne controller board (right) and
the auxiliary boards that control the new organ features.
Below: The new stop tabs, rewired pedals, and the transposer control.