The organ, designed by Lynn Dobson in consultation with chapel organist Arlene
Hilding, was built in 1979. At that time, the organ consisted of 19 stops, 21
ranks, and 1,116 pipes, distributed over two manuals and pedal. The organ had
mechanical key and stop action, pallet and slider wind chests, and it was voiced
on two inches of wind pressure.
The case is constructed of solid white oak with an oiled finish, accented by
a black walnut pipe shades and console area, padauk medallions in the doors,
and hand carved stop action levers which were also made of padauk. The natural
keys were covered with ebony platings and the sharp keys were made of rosewood
with ivory caps.
The organ was removed from the old chapel and placed into storage in 1994.
It was set up and rebuilt in Dobson's Lake City, Iowa, workshop during
the summer and fall 1995, then reinstalled in the new chapel in February and
March 1996. The organ now contains 20 stops, 24 ranks, and 1,200 pipes.
Since the new home of the organ is substantially larger than the 12'-6"
high room it was originally designed for, the organ was given an unobstructed
gallery position in the center of the balcony to help sound project in the bigger
space. To give it the added necessary height, both for tonal projection and visual
impact, the organ was installed on a raised platform.
A new tamboured top was designed along with turnings and new brackets on the
cornice molding. The new parts have been stained dark to contrast with the original
work, and some of the moldings on the original case have been darkened to tie
the new parts to the old.
The task of making the organ fit tonally into a building about five times the
cubic volume of the old chapel took special planning. Tonal changes included
the addition of new stops to the Pedal and the Great along with renovations of
original stops throughout the organ. When the organ was installed the wind pressure
was raised from 2" to 2-5/8", and the organ was revoiced with higher
cut ups and wider flues.
Thanks to these changes, the organ has a stunning visual and aural presence
in its new setting. It will undoubtedly enhance and edify the worship life of
the Bethany community for many years to come.
SOLI DEO GLORIA! TO GOD ALONE BE GLORY!
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Manual I
Prestant 8
Koppelflöte 8
Octave 4
Nazard 2 2/3
Waldflöte 2
Tierce 13/5
Mixture IV
Trumpet 8
Tremulant |
Manual II
Gedeckt 8
Rohrflöte 4
Principal 2
Gemsquinte 11/3
Zimbel II
Krummhorn 8
Tremulant |
Pedal
Subbass 16
Prestant 8
Gedeckt 8
Choralbass 4
Faggot 16
Trumpet 8 |
Couplers
I/P
II/P
II/I |
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