The Organ Project is Underway

The restoration of OPC's organ has officially begun!

This past week the trustees, authorized by the session, signed a contract with Sound/Organ Design. This Virginia Beach firm will be installing a new Viscount 363DK Classic Organ in the choir loft.

Phase One

This begins the first phase of the organ restoration project. This new electronic organ will replace the existing consol. The Viscount organ -- as installed -- won't use any of the pipes in the choir loft. Rather, it has it's own professional-grade speaker system that provides the sound.

Sound/Organ Design will install a coupling system to the Viscount organ. This will allow us at some future date to tie in the old organ. But in the meantime, once the Viscount organ is installed, OPC will have a fully functional organ. 

And there's a good chance that the instrument will be in place before Advent!

Phase Two

The existing organ mechanism can be connected to the Viscount organ consol. But extensive restoration work must happen first. All 1,100 pipes need cleaning and retuning. All the wiring within the instrument -- some dating back to 1910 -- needs replacement. 

The mechanisms that open to provide air to the pipe are worn out. They all need replacement with simple electronic switches. A wind chest provides air to the pipes. This is from the original 1910 organ. It needs restoration to provide proper air pressure.

When phase two is completed, OPC will have a magnificent instrument. The organist can chose to play either the electronic instrument or the acoustic pipe organ. They could also choose to play both together for a truly glorious sound. 

Project costs

The cost for phase one from Sound/Organ Design is $99.522.00. They required a deposit of $28,856.00 to accompany the contract. $49.761.00 is due on delivery on the equipment to the church, and the balance, $19.905.00 due on completion. 

The organ fund as of this posting, has over $66.000. This covers the down payment an most of the second installment. The Finance Committee determined that we have several ways to cover the balance. A substantial amount is available from Memorial Gifts, as well as the Hazard Fund. 

Phase Two will cost a little more. Pebworth Technical Service has submitted an estimate of  $135. 360.00. The restoration can be done in four parts. Each part would be paid for upon completion. 

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Part One, completely rewiring the old acoustic organ would cost $12,000,00. Part Two, restoring and retuning the pipes, would cost $16,000.00.  Part Three, refurbishing the pipe chest would cost $60,390.00. Part Four, making the instrument playable, would cost $46,970.00.

You can contribute to the fund by clicking on the Organ Fund graphic. It will take you directly to our online donation portal.

Or send a check to OPC. Be sure to put "Organ Fund" in the check's memo field.

 - Ralph Graves
​Organ Committee

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