HomeSt. Matthew's
Lutheran Church

Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

SMLC Organ Project History

History of the Organ Project

The original pipe organ was installed by the Schantz Organ Company of Ohio in 1965. Concern of the Pipe Organ at SMLC officially began April of 1993 when Organist John Paradowski informed the Worship & Music Committee of the condition and deterioration of parts of the organ. Including warping parts, falling stoppers on large wood pipes [used for tuning], decaying leather pneumatics at the keyboard, corroding and burnt electrical contacts, tuning instability, keyboard controls failing, poor acoustical projection, cracked pipes, etc.

Due to the high cost in repairing these parts, discussion was started as to the best solution for St. Matthew’s and the future of the music program. In October 1993, an anonymous donor came forward with a large donation to establish the organ fund. With that incentive, research began into the true state of the organ. Discovering more problems and the complexity of the problems an organ consultant was hired to evaluate and guide the committee to a solution that would meet the current needs of the church as well as future needs.

For example, when a key is pressed, a leather pouch under each pipe moves to allow air into that pipe to make it sound. Well, the leather is starting to decay which causes the organ to not work properly. There are about 1800 of these leather pouches in our organ. While they can be replaced, once the new ones would be installed, after high labor intensive months of work and high cost, the new ones would start to deteriorate due to other design problems in the current organ installation. All problems need to be fixed together. The committee has decided that a system that uses a minimal amount of leather be used in place of what we have.

Our consultant, Scott Reidel presented us with a detailed list of current organ problems. Along with each problem was a solution to the problem not only to fix the problem but to avoid the same concerns and problems from coming forth in the future.

The Organ Committee’s Goals and Progress

A goal of the committee is to have an instrument worthy of the music program here at St. Matthew’s that will allow us to grow and further proclaim the Word of the Lord through music. Another goal is to have an instrument of high quality that will last for many years. A smart decision now will save not only money, but time and frustration years later.

The organ committee then went to work with the following criteria in mind:

• Size of organ relative to cost, judged by musical effects.
• Future growth of the music program at SMLC.
• Mechanical reliability.
• Suitability for worship at SMLC
• Leading in congregational song
• Accompany of choirs & soloists
• Organ solos during worship
• Concert repertoire
• Contribution to the church, music, and Wauwatosa community.
• Visual placement and design.
• Acoustical quality of the Church.
• Console design and flexibility.
• Quality workmanship and materials to ensure longevity and reliability.
• Reuse of existing pipes.

In December of 1995, the organ committee traveled north to Sheboygan, Green Bay, Oshkosh, Appleton and south to Illinois to look at organs built by organ companies that could solve our problems. A recommendation was made to receive bids from two builders. After reviewing each bid a final proposal was accepted by the committee from the Schlicker Organ Co., in Buffalo, NY.

The Renovated Design

The basic design of the renovated organ is solidly rooted in the concept that the main function of the organ is to support and lead congregational singing, be capable of performing the music of the liturgy, and accompany choirs, soloists, and other musical instruments. It also has a vision to the future for a wide variety of other musical programs.

Many of the problems that our current organ has now will be gone with the new organ design. Many of the problems overlap with each other so solving one problem solves another. A new wind chest system design is recommended to remove 90% of the leather used in the organ which can decay and cause many dead notes. The new windchest system will also bring the organ up to electrical code and enable the organ mechanics to be up to the most current codes and designs ensuring long life. The new wind chests would use a good stable wood like Mahogany and Popular in construction.

A different type of tuning system will be employed to make the tuning of the organ more stable and require less tuning maintenance. Currently on hot Summer and cold Winter days the organ is horribly out of tune with itself, this new system will have the tuning under better control. And to run the whole organ a console will be built that will be moveable and will not need a winding system to operate the controls thereby making it more reliable.

Congregational Informational
Meetings and Final Vote

In August of 1996 a Congregational Organ Forum was held to answer questions regarding the project. Many good questions were asked and answered. At that time a letter of intent was signed with the Schlicker Organ Company to hold pricing and production time while ground work progressed with the renovation committee for work to be done in the sanctuary.

Another Organ Forum was held on April 13th, 1997 again to inform the congregation of the status of the project and to prepare for the vote on the organ which was held on May 4th, 1997.

These are exciting times for St. Matthew’s. Music and music ministry is one of St. Matthew’s gifts and we are recognized in the Milwaukee area for the fine music program we offer in worship. The organ is "instrumental" in that ministry. On Sunday, May 4th, 1997, the congregation voted in favor of the proposed organ project and the organ contract was signed in June of 1997 for a Fall 2000 delivery date and March 2001 completion date.

The end result will be an instrument that best suits the needs and future of St. Matthew’s and is worthy of glorifying God through Worship and Music.