Parish of St. Peter, Episcopal

Helena, Montana 2006

This organ was originally built by the M.P. Möller Organ Company of Hagerstown, MD and installed in 1951 as Opus 8288. The organ was located in one chamber and entirely under expression. The instrument served the congregation faithfully for 50 years before failing mechanics in the console suggested not only immediate repairs but to also explore the possibility of exposed pipework (and casework) but the inclusion of an unenclosed Great that would add a more classic Principal chorus to the overall tonal design. The Swell also received tonal additions to provide more dynamic and color capabilities beyond the 1951 design. A stirring tonal addition of a Trompette en Chamade was added to the back of the Church for exciting flourishes for Festival occasions. The casework is a simple design, incorporating solid red oak and located not only in the Chancel but in the Transept. The façade pipes consist of the 8’ Principal in polished tin. Frans Bosman was responsible for the design, fabrication and installation of both Chancel and Transept cases. The existing Möller windchest were retained with new windchests (for all tonal additions) of direct valve design. The existing Möller console was rebuilt and enhanced. A new electrical system by the Syndyne Corporation of Vancouver, WA was utilized in both the console and organ chamber. The new combination action includes added piston capacity and multiple levels of memory. All of the original Möller pipework was retained along with new (as well as vintage) ranks to create the new stoplist. All of the flue pipes were produced by the Dutch pipemaker, Jacques Stinkens, and are of the highest quality.

There are four families of pipes that are well represented in this organ. The Great contains the most important Principal ranks with the 8’ Principal, 4’ Octave, 2’ Octave and Mixture IV. This family of pipes is heard most frequently during the worship service in the singing of the hymns. The Swell retains the 8’ Diapason and 4’ Principal from the Möller organ and are a nice dynamic/color foil to the Great. The Great contains the 8’ Rohrflute and 4’ Spillflute, the Swell contains the 8’ Gedeckt and 8’ Melodia, the Pedal contains the 16’ Subbass. There is a wonderful and unique blend of different colors with this group of pipes that work well either in a solo setting or working together in an ensemble. The beautiful, compelling sounds of the 8’ Gamba and 8’ Gamba Celeste are perfect examples from the original Möller organ. Adding some depth to this ensemble is the 16’ Gamba which is a 12 note extension of the 8’ Gamba. The original Möller 8’ Trumpet was retained but relocated to a new windchest so that its resources would be available on the Great and Pedal. An octave of vintage pipes, playing at 16’, was added to provide a much needed depth to the Pedal Organ. Another vintage rank of pipes, the 8’ Oboe, was installed in place of the 8’ Trumpet. This is a much needed voice that compliments the Trumpet in both dynamic and color settings. To crown off the sounds of the organ is the 8’ Trompette en Chamade which is located in the back of the Church.

The Antiphonal is prepared for the addition of two stops; the 8’ Harmonic Flute and 4’ Principal. These future ranks will add a “surround sound” to envelope the listener no matter where they are seated in the Nave.