Century-old pipe organ getting restored, remastered
ASHLAND – Trinity Lutheran Church’s century-old pipe organ is being restored for future generations to enjoy its rich sound.
The pipe organ, with some pipes spanning as far back as 1908, is being remastered and designed by Orrvillebased Schantz Organ Co.
“It’s like art,” church Music Director Ron Marenchin said. “Different eras have different sounds.”
Trinity Lutheran and Schantz Organ Co. have worked together since 1930, said Schantz Vice President Jeffrey Dexter, noting this is the third pipe organ project the company has taken on with the church — the most encompassing project to date.
Some of the changes that will be present after Schantz finishes the project are added insulation so the pipes won’t get too cold or hot, incorporated balcony organ pipes into the main organ console and a brand new backdrop to the altar area with an added rank of visible pipes to frame the hanging cross over the altar, Marenchin said.
Originally, pipes were hidden behind a concrete wall, which partly blocked its sound from escaping to the pew. Now, parts of the chapel’s concrete walls have been demolished to allow for a clearer and richer sound, Marenchin said.
The century-long history of Trinity’s pipe organ
Trinity Lutheran’s pipe organ got its start in 1908 in Hagerstown, Maryland.
Built by the M.P. Moeller Organ Co., Trinity’s original organ was the 924th organ Moeller produced, Marenchin said.
The pipe organ was rebuilt in 1930 by
the Schantz Organ Co. as the Myers Memorial organ, given in memory of Mr. and Mrs. F.E. Myers by their three children, Mary, Helen and John C.
The pipe organ was later moved and fitted into the new organ chamber when Trinity’s new church was built at 508 Center St.
In 1983, an additional set of pipes, also known as stops, were added to the pipe organ.
Pipe organ project expected to be completed by January
Trinity Lutheran has wanted to upgrade the church pipe organ for several years, Marenchin said. Thanks to a generous donation from the estate of Ashland locals Jim and Suzy Clark, that desire is a reality.
“(We have) talked to the church for a couple of years about doing the project,” Dexter said.
Work began in May. The organ is now being assembled in the church, Dexter said.
Schantz will tune and fit 2,780 individual pipes giving the old organ its fullest and richest sound ever. The pipes are held in place by a rack, with some pipes weighing 100 pounds and stretching as long as 16 feet, Dexter said.
“It takes a lot of labor because every one is different,” Dexter said. “Every one is custom designed.”
With the project coming to a close in a month, Dexter is reminded each day how rewarding the pipe organ building process is.
“The church has been a client for 92 years,” he said. “The longevity of pipe organs (is special) ... knowing something we crafted in 2021 is going to outlive all of us.”
Reach Grant at gritchey@gannett.com and Twitter: @ritchey_grant