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[note: photos throughout are of the existing instrument]
Trompette en chamade update
The long-anticipated trompette en chamade addition to First Church's sanctuary pipe organ was completed in May of 2006. Installed by the St. Louis Pipe Organ Company, the newest "stop" on the organ was first heard by the congregation on Trinity Sunday.
The more than $51,000 project--a gift to First Church by numerous donors either through the Memorial Fund or by specific donation--included not only the installation of the rank of 61 trumpets in the church's north balcony, but the refurbishing of that area of the balcony including new lighting.
What is a trompette en chamade? Translated into English, the term means "trumpets on their sides"--these organ pipes not standing vertically as do most organ pipes, but mounted nearly in a horizontal position to project their fanfares directly into the sanctuary on festive occasions.
Although a trompette en chamade is often featured in large city churches, First Church's trompette is the only such instrument within 75 miles of Macomb--bringing our pipe organ to a new level in attracting accomplished guest organists to play it, while also adding a new dimension in sound to the already excellent instrument.
In the beginning
The first organ at First Presbyterian of Macomb was a small Melodian reed
organ. This organ was located in the frame church building, one half block west
of the present structure. Pumped by foot "treadles," this organ was
purchased sometime during the 1880s and placed near the pulpit.
First Presbyterian Church built the present church building in 1893.
$2500.00 was raised for the purchase of a pipe organ, the first in McDonough
County. The organ was built against the front chancel wall with exposed pipe work
and an elevated choir loft. Air for the organ was supplied by young men and
boys pumping the large bellows from behind the organ console. The dedicatory
recital was played by Mr. Clarence Eddy from Chicago.
Wimberly and Gallnick Organ
In 1940 a new organ, designed and built by the Wimberly and Gallnick Organ
Company of Chicago, was installed incorporating much of the old organ of 1893.
The organ had 58 stops along with a set of Deagon Cathedral Chimes. A sanctuary
renovation at this same time necessitated several structural changes for the
organ and chancel area.
The old organ, choir loft, and front balcony stairs
were removed, organ pipes were transferred to chambers on either side of the
chancel, and three new stained glass windows were placed in the south wall as
they exist today.
In 1940 an echo organ, donated by an anonymous giver, was installed in the
rear balcony. The organ contained several stops from the organ of 1893.
A crisis occurred in 1953 when it was discovered that the Wimberly and
Gallnick organ was in need of extensive repairs. Since the estimated cost of
repairs equalled or exceeded the cost of a new instrument, the congregation
undertook a campaign to raise the $22,500 needed for a new organ. An additional
$590 was contracted for the connection of the echo organ to be made playable at
the main console.
The M.F. Moeller Era
The M.F. Moeller Organ Co. of Hagerstown, Maryland, was
selected to build and install a new three-manual organ of 18 ranks. Church
organist and W.I.U. professor George Mulder worked closely with the Moeller
Company on the design of the new organ. The organ dedicatory recital was played
on Ash Wednesday, February 15, 1959 by the organ designer, Henry Beard. For a
decade the Moeller organ remained the only pipe organ in the area and was
regarded as a very fine instrument and, by far, the best in the area.
In 1969 a contract was signed with the Freeport Organ Co. of Freeport,
Illinois for the complete renovation of the echo organ. By the mid-1970s, both
the main organ and the echo organ were again in need of repairs. For that
purpose, a contract was signed with the Moeller Co. for $5900 in May 1977.
Repairs to the echo organ were made by Jarrell Hofer in 1980.
By 1985 it was apparent that the 30-year-old Moeller organ had become
mechanically unreliable and needed major repairs. Old chests needed
re-leathering and had sustained water damage, and the pipes were so crowded in
the chambers that many could not be tuned or serviced properly. On July 25,
1989, a contract for the renovation and enlargement of the organ was signed
with the H.A. Howell Pipe Organs, Inc. from Dixon, Illinois.
Acoustical Improvements for the Howell Organ
The chancel area, as specified by the organ builder, underwent several
structural changes to enhance the beauty of the new organ. Additionally, the
chancel area was made more flexible so that it could be adapted to many
different uses. To improve the acoustics, carpeting in the chancel area was
removed and a hardwood floor installed. Risers were removed, the platform was
extended, and a new wider set of steps built. Finally, the pulpit and lectern
were moved further to the sides giving the chancel a more open look.
The organ renovation added 13 new ranks (812 more pipes) including three new
reeds, the trumpet, hautbois, and cromorne for a total of 31 ranks. In
addition, most of the pipes from the old Moeller organ and a few from the echo
organ were used. Several sets of pipes from the side chambers were moved out to
the front wall where they could be heard more effectively. New, heavier swell
shades were installed to make a wider range of dynamics possible. New
electro-mechanical wind chests were also installed. The console is on a movable
platform making it versatile for recitals, concerts, etc. The newly renovated
organ was first played on Sunday, May 31, 1992 by church organist Charlotte Cook.
The total cost for the Howell organ was $163,781, with preparation of the
chancel and chambers adding an additional $21,620. On September 20, 1992,
W.I.U. Professor of Music Dr. Anita Werling, who served as the church's
professional consultant throughout the lengthy organ renovation process, played
the dedicatory recital. Later, Dr. Rudy Zuiderveld from Illinois College in
Jacksonville played a second dedicatory recital on February 7, 1993.
In spring 2002, the organ was enhanced by the addition of two 32' digital
stops in the pedal division through a gift to the church.
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