After three years of preparation and research, a contract was signed in January 2017 with Foley-Baker, Incorporated, a pipe organ refurbishment company based in Tolland, CT. In 2018, the organ of Christ & St. Luke’s will be removed and brought back to their workshop to be completely cleaned and overhauled. Christ & St. Luke’s organ has served the church well for 50 years and this refurbishment will ensure that the organ will sound for another 50 or 100 years! Foley-Baker, Inc (FBI) has a reputation for quality craftsmanship, and examples of their work can be found at Duke Chapel, First Church of Christ, Scientist (“The Mother Church”), Boston, as well as Symphony Hall, Boston, and Merrill Auditorium, Portland, Maine.
We are confident that our organ project will be a success, in conjunction with the other improvements as part of our “Forward in Faith” capital campaign.
What goes into an organ project?
- Bellows will be renewed.
- New wind chests will be built.
- Damaged and collapsing pipes will be replaced with new pipes.
- Deteriorating leathers will be replaced.
- All the electronic components will be renewed.
- Additional sounds, like a bell star and chimes, will be added
- The organ’s bass will be expanded to give greater gravitas to the instrument.
- The pipe chambers will be remodeled, after 50 years of weather and moisture intrusion.
Christ & St. Luke’s organ will be given a new lease on life, which will ensure that it continues to be the primary instrument for visiting concert organists from around the world. The importance of this instrument to both the Parish and the broader community cannot be underestimated. Thank you for your support and stay tuned for more updates!
