WOLCOTTSVILLE — The one-of-a-kind organ at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church will be rededicated next weekend with a recital by six area organists.
Trinity’s two-manual 1897 Hinners & Albertsen organ (style 20) is newly restored, after craftsmen from the Heritage Pipe Organs company undid the damage done by mice that took up residence in the instrument while it wasn’t being played during Covid lockdown. The original German-language labels on the stops were discovered during the process and have been reapplied.
Trinity church has the distinction of possessing the only organ still in existence in the United States that’s still being played in its original installment, according to lifetime congregant Cathy Bergquist. The National Historical Organ Society recognized it as an “exceptional” historic organ in 2004.
For Trinity organist Ric Jones, it’s a joy to play.
“It has never been revoiced (had its piping altered), so it sounds the same today as when it was first played. … It has lived a long life and has many more years in it,” he said. “This is a unique instrument, wonderful to play.”
For the recital, Jones will share his bench with fellow Middleport Community Choir members Debby Clark and Mark Christensen, as well as Aaron Grabowski, Pat Payne and Dave Carmer. They’re all church organists from various denominations who, in 15-minute intervals, will play a range of music, from classical to sacred, and some hymns. Jones hopes to set up a projector so that listeners in the pews can see the organists playing above them in the choir loft.
The variety recital is intended to demonstrate the “incredible breadth” of Trinity’s organ, congregant Jennifer Bieber said.
Bergquist said the organ has been well cared for by the Heritage company for as long as she can remember. In advance of its rededication, she brushed up on its history: Purchased via Sears, Roebuck and Co. catalog, for $485 cash, the organ was manufactured by Pekin, Illinois-based Hinners & Albertsen Organ Company and shipped on the Erie Canal to Gasport, where Rev. J.H. Knuebel claimed and brought it to Trinity by horse-and-buggy. In church records, there’s still a copy of the 10-year warranty, dated Jan. 28, 1897.
“A warranty, can you believe it?!” Bergquist laughed.
The rodent damage was discovered after the end of the pandemic “pause” in group gatherings. When Jones returned to his bench, he noticed the keys on the organ were sticking. A repair technician had a look inside and found that mice had chewed a section, damaging the keys and surrounding wood.
The fix involved hand-made replacement parts and the bill was $17,500. Insurance did not cover rodent damage, Bergquist said. Niagara County Legislator Mike Hill secured $5,000 through the county Community Partnership fund to put toward restoration, Bieber said.
The recital, hymn sing and organ rededication service are slated 2 to 4 p.m. May 17. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Capacity is 150-plus. The church is located at 6369 Wolcottsville Road.
Following the recital, Trinity is hosting a fundraising dinner and basket raffle at the nearby Wolcottsville fire hall. The meal is sausage and sauerkraut, pork tenderloin, potatoes, corn, bread and butter, applesauce, dessert and beverages. Dinner tickets are $15 per person (no charge for children 12 and younger); get them in advance by calling Jennifer Bieber at 716-628-0179.