Austin Organ Co.
Opus 1073, 1923

Updated through online information from Ron Yeater. -- The organ was tonally altered slightly in 1958 when the new console was installed. I recall that the 8' Tibia Minor on the Great was changed to 2' (!) Also, the Echo division was disconnected from the console. However the Echo also played as a practice organ from its own 2 manual duplex console. It was later (70s?) removed from beneath the balcony, completely rebuilt tonally and mechanically, and installed in a classroom in Macky by Morel. The large organ received considerable tonal alteration at this same time, especially in the Great division.

Updated through online information from Daniel Schwandt. -- The original console for Austin op. 1073 was purchased by Luther Memorial Church in Chicago, Illinois to replace their original 1926 Pilcher (op. 1319) console. According to church records, it was purchased from Scott Christiansen of Colorado Springs in 1982 for $200 and installed at Luther Memorial by James Gruber of Chicago.

Updated through online information from Larry Kerecman. -- This organ was dedicated on May 19, 1923. Despite rumors to the contrary, the organ is playable and in remarkably good condition given the current lack of use and maintenance other than tuning once a year. The organ was altered several times in the past. The "new" (1958) console now controls the organ through a Solid State Systems relay.

Information identifying this instrument from the Austin Organs, Inc. web site, accessed December 31, 2004: http://www.austinorgans.com/organ-research.htm.