Gary Black

Bradford, Illinois

Residence Organ


GREAT
Open Diapason 8'
Melodia 8'
Octave 4'
Fifteenth 2'
Mixture Prep.
Faggotto 8'
SWELL
Stopped Diapason
8'
Viola
8'
Voix Celeste
8'
Harmonic Flute
4'
Piccolo
2'
Sesqualitera II
Prep.
Oboe (Estey Labial)
8'
PEDAL
Resultant
32'
Bourdon
16'
Open Diapason
8'
Choral Bass
4'
Basson
16'
Oboe
8'

Usual Couplers

To make a long story short, It is a 1905 Opus number 290 from the Estey Organ Co.in Brattelboro, VT. I was the organist at the First Christian Church in Pontiac, ILL from where I hail originally. The organ was installed there, new and was used until 1975 when the church sold and a new building built. The organ was to be refurbished and installed in the new building. Well, funds were not available at the time and the pipe work was put in storage. Six years ago they decided not to re-build the Estey so they said for free for me to "come and get it or we are going to throw it away." I now have a 13 rank organ at home that is soon to be playing, I hope. The action was tubular-pnem and was of no use. I bought a used Hinners console from a church in Peoria and have since installed all new stop action and a new relay from Peterson's in Alsip, ILL. I purchased 2 five rank chest from Hugh Burdick who is now deceased. The leather in those was is sad shape so we burned them at the bonfire for homecoming last Fall. I work at Howell Pipe Organs in Sterling and they are going to build me a new electric chest for the project. I live in a 1897 Victorian home and so the pipe chamber (alias the old TV room) will be filled with pipe work. I cut a whole in the floor and put the blower in the basement. I had the reservoir re-leathered so everything is waiting for the chest work.


A "work in progress" photo of the Chamber.