2003
It is a rare opportunity when a company is commissioned to restore and expand an instrument of this caliber. This E.M. Skinner pipe organ was originally installed at the First Church of Christ Scientist in Miami, Florida. In the late 1970s the organ was relocated to a Baptist church in the south metro area of Atlanta. In the mid-1990s the Baptist church closed, and the United Methodist Women’s group of Sandy Springs United Methodist Church purchased the organ.
Working with consultant Nelson Barden of Boston University, we completed the expansion of the original specification based on Skinner standards and scaling. The organ is now 46 ranks, up from the original 34 ranks, and is housed in a new custom-designed chamber behind the choir loft. A new 16’ Violon was added to the Great and Pedal Divisions. The Violon comprises the façade and is built in flamed copper to complement the church’s 1960’s architecture. The case is built in mahogany to match the pews and sanctuary woodwork.
The present windchests were completely rebuilt and retained. New windchests were provided by our shop and built along Skinner electro-pneumatic standards. The original console was restored and fitted with new keyboards and Solid State Logic capture and relay systems. New Harris console drawknobs and toe studs were fitted to retain the look and feel of the Skinner console.
The console resides on a movable platform for concert purposes. The organ was first heard during Hymnfest conducted by Paul Oakley and sponsored by the Atlanta AGO. Conventioneers of the American Institute of OrganBuilders were guests of the AGO for that program.
We invite people to hear this magnificent instrument.