Featured Richmond
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 What
Do These Three Churches Have in Common?
They All Chose 2-Manual Renaissance Organs for Their Services!
Lakeside Presbyterian Church, Richmond, VA
Lakeside Presbyterian Church, Richmond, VA
Allen Renaissance
2-manual
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Westminster Canterbury, Richmond, VA
Westminster Canterbury, Richmond, VA
Allen Renaissance
2-manual
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St. Luke Episcopal Church, Powhatan, VA
St. Luke Episcopal Church, Powhatan, VA
Allen Renaissance
2-manual
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 First
English Lutheran Installs Unique Custom Allen Organ
First English Lutheran, Richmond, VA
Allen Organ Custom French Renaissance
3-manual, 124 ranks
Since it's beginning in 1876, First English Lutheran Church has remained
an urban church, providing ELCA ministry to inner city Richmond, VA. Established
as the first church with local Lutheran services conducted in the English
language, it conducts many programs including a thriving, exciting Music
Ministry.
The Gothic-style house of worship resides at the beginning of Monument
Avenue, a National Historic Landmark. The sanctuary was built on a corner
of "Stuart Circle" where a commanding Civil War figure, Jeb Stuart, rides
his steed in battle.
In 2001, a committee of eight members, dedicated to the rich musical heritage
of their congregation, set out to improve upon their aging pipe organ.
Built by M.P. Moller in 1911 and sadly in need of repairs, the organ did
not meet the demands of a growing Music Ministry. The organ search committee
called in Robert G. Pierce Pipe Organ Service for an evaluation and hired
a consultant. Obvious to all was the immediate need to replace the console.
Pipe work would be required as well and an expansion in an already crowded
chamber was desired. The Allen Organ Company of Macungie, PA was recommended
for the improvements.
In July of 2001, the group traveled to Macungie, skeptical, but considering
the recommendation to combine Allen's Renaissance technology with their
Moller. Organist Linus Ellis, working with First English's consultant
and Allen technicians, created a unique specification with exceptional
solutions to the problematic Moller. The committee traveled to hear combination
Allen/pipe instruments and to the factory where the magic of digital organ
technology was created. The custom organ design was reviewed. Now excited
and convinced the digital stops would be indistinguishable from the pipe
stops, the committee returned to Richmond with good news: they could keep
the 18 ranks of Moller pipework, replacing the console and adding significantly
to the organ.
The results were a new console designed with a custom French specification
and custom Baroque specification and pipe controls totaling 124 ranks.
The richness of the overall sound will delight worshippers and concert
goers alike for many years to come.
Clients
Bethel Baptist
Calvary Baptist
Cartersville Baptist
Colonial Baptist
First English Lutheran
Gentle Shepard Catholic
Lakeside Presbyterian
Nelsen Funeral Home
Skipwith Baptist
St. James Episcopal
St. Luke Episcopal
Westminster Canterbury
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