It
has been 2 ½ years since R. A. Colby Organ Builders came from John City,
Tennessee to begin the expansion project on St. Mark’s 1984 Zimmer pipe organ. The
number of stops and colors brought the 13 rank organ up to 36 ranks. John
Parkyn, our organ consultant, managed the project which several local organists
say resulted in one of the finest pipe/digital instruments in the city.
Because
of the expansion, the small console had to be replaced with a larger one that
could accommodate three manuals (keyboards) and other controlling devices. Per the original agreement, the Zimmer
console became the property of R. A. Colby.
Shortly after the new organ was completed, the old console was loaded
into a truck and taken to Johnson City.
The
console recently to Jacksonville!
The
Rev. Mary Holladay is the Minister of Music at First United Methodist Church in
downtown Jacksonville. A couple of years
ago, she decided she wanted to have a pipe organ for practice and pleasure in
her own home. Mary’s new organ was built
by James Freeman who also takes care of the organ at St. Mark’s.
To
read more about the expansion of St. Mark’s organ, look at my original blog
post here: http://www.smljax.blogspot.com/2013/04/an-expanded-organ-for-st-marks.html
Since
that time, more work has been done. The
swell shade engine had to be replaced and the “Petite Trompette” was removed,
cleaned, regulated, and replaced. A new
sequence recorder was also added. All of
this work was done by James Freeman and his associate, Chaz Dewsbury.
St.
Mark’s has identified “excellence in worship and music” as one of our
congregation’s core values. Maintaining
a fine organ is an important part of that task.
May this beautiful instrument inspire our worship for many years to
come.
Top Photo: John Parkyn overseeing the installation of a new speaker
Bottom Photo: Rev. Mary Conley Holladay seated at her new console
