Page 5 - Music Brochure Fall 2020

ORGAN HISTORY
At Christ Church, music has long been recognized not only as an integral part of the worship of Almighty God but also as an outreach of the larger community. After 143 years of opening its doors for worship and prayer, the original organ at Christ Church was in need of great repair. After numerous evaluations and the advice of experts, Christ Church had determined the organ would need to be replaced. We engaged Charles Krigbaum, University Organist and Chairman of the Organ Department at Yale University. Mr. Krigbaum, along with a host of other specialists, had determined we would be best served by a “tracker” organ, which uses traditional mechanical linkages between keyboard and pipe, rather than by another electropneumatic instrument.
Christ Church engaged John Brombaugh and Associates, Inc. of Eugene, Oregon to build the organ. The case for our organ was designed copying the organ at Christ Church Oxford, completed in 1685, the year of J.S. Bach’s birth. Tonally, the instrument itself follows classical principles of organ building, combined with elements of the Willis organs at St. Paul’s, London and Salisbury Cathedral. Several ranks from the previous organ were incorporated into this organ, thus continuing the gifts of generations past.
The scope of the project grew as we learned we would require a new electrical system, resurfacing of the walls, and reconstruction of the supporting framework. Since the nave is essentially the “sounding board” of the instrument, each of the planks of the ceiling would be renailed, caulked, and surface-coated with polyurethane. Following this arduous task came the design of a new recording and amplification system. The project continued to grow with updates to the wiring and lighting which were 40 to 70 years old. When the heating unit was replaced and the pews and floors required cleaning and refinishing, the scope of the work had reached substantial heights.
Members of Christ Church moved out of the Church the Sunday after Easter in 1990, and the long list of updates was completed by September of the same year.
Thanks to the devoted generosity of many and to the wise use of our resources, we have a shining sanctuary and one of the world’s great musical instruments to enrich our worship of God. The organ is given in memory of Eleuthére Irénée du Pont (1771–1834) and his daughters, Victorine Elizabeth, Evelina Gabrielle, and Sophie Madeleine, who
founded this parish in 1848.