Muller Pipe Organ designed and constructed a new two manual, eighteen rank instrument for Emanuel Lutheran Church of Napoleon, Ohio. When the church was constructed in 1917, space was included for a small pipe organ. In the early 1920s, a small 10 rank instrument was constructed by the Pilcher Organ Company
of Louisville, Kentucky, and was installed at the right of the chancel. The cost of the organ equaled 25% of the cost to build the entire building.
In the 1950s, the sanctuary was remodeled, necessitating reconfiguration of the organ. The facade was removed, and the entire instrument was put under expression. A new console was installed to facilitate the conversion of the action from tubular pneumatic to electro-pneumatic, and a new Trumpet stop was added to the Swell. At the same time, porous acoustical tile was installed on the sanctuary ceiling, impeding the speech of the instrument.
When Emanuel contacted Muller Pipe Organ to inquire about rebuilding the organ, it was decided to delay the organ project until the unfavorable acoustical situation could be resolved. The acoustical consultant recommended hardening the ceiling and removing the carpeting. The church decided to take the recommendations a step further, resulting in a liturgical redesign of the entire worship space. Acoustical tile was removed, the ceiling plastered, the floors and pews were sanded and refinished, and new flooring was installed in the chancel.
The new organ is located in the center of the chancel. The new casework is designed in the style of the original Pilcher case, and makes use of the original facade pipes which were restored as part of the project. The Great principal chorus is unenclosed and located immediately behind the facade, with the remainder of the division under expression in an independent enclosure.
A moderately scaled and voiced principal chorus is found in the Great organ. Voiced to fill the nave with a gentle, warm sound, the Principals speak freely with a slight articulation. A delightful departure from what we use in most of our instruments, the retained Pilcher flutes and strings retain the essence of the former organ, and add to the overall color and effect of the instrument.
The Swell organ is home to a secondary principal chorus. Possessing lesser stature than the Great, this chorus allows extraordinary depth and flexibility, especially in choral accompaniment. The strings and flutes are brighter in character and possess more classical articulation than those in the Great organ. An German style Trumpet and Oboe are the organ’s two reeds. The Trumpet, playable on all manuals and pedal, serves both as a solo and chorus stop, and defines the instrument’s exciting, full sound. The Oboe stands restored as a wonderful Romantic solo reed.
The entire playing mechanism of the organ is new. The fine existing console shell was refinished and fitted with new keyboards, stop controls, and combination action.
Emanuel Lutheran Church
Napoleon, Ohio
