A HISTORY OF OUR PIPE ORGAN
Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
Marietta, Georgia
The Holtkamp/Parkey Organ at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church has a long history. The First Presbyterian Church of Springfield, Missouri purchased a new pipe organ in 1892 from Ferrand & Votey Organ Company. When the First and Calvary Presbyterian Churches merged in 1929, pipe work from this organ formed the core of a new organ built by the Votteler-Holtkamp-Sparling Organ Company, now known simply as the Holtkamp Organ Company. In 1955, a new pneumatic console and several new ranks were added by the Kilgen Organ Company.
In 1978, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church bought the First & Calvary Presbyterian Church instrument for $2,500. A team of 3 church members (including our present organ curator, Ralph Daniel) and 1 consultant moved it to Atlanta . The present sanctuary was dedicated on Reformation Sunday 1980 and the organ first sounded in its new location on Christmas Eve of 1980. A unified trumpet rank was later obtained by barter from the 1910 Austin organ originally located in the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium (now demolished) and installed in the pedal division. That rank was replaced again with a more appropriately voiced bomarde 16′/8′ unit reed in 2009.
By 1995, the console and other parts had become mechanically unreliable. After examining the feasibility of rebuilding or replacing the console and organ, it was decided that renewing the instrument would be most cost-effective and fiscally responsible. A multi-phase renewal plan was formulated by late 1998 and implemented with a fund raiser in April of 1999.
A new low profile console was provided by Parkey Organ Builders Company of Atlanta , Georgia and was first used on September 10, 2000 . During the years 2001 and 2002 other mechanical systems were overhauled. By 2003, all mechanical aspects of the organ, excluding wind chests, were stabilized and operational.
In fall of 2004, the Parkey Company added 10 new pipe ranks, adding to or replacing approximately 1/3 of the organ’s tonal resources. Existing ranks were also moved and/or revoiced. The new ranks were first used on Reformation Sunday, October 31, 2004 .
A new raised slider action wind chest replaced the failing Great pneumatic chest in the fall of 2006. A new bourdon 8′ was also added to the great at that time. A new speaking facade was completed as part of the sanctuary renewal program in the fall of 2008, along with providing new slider chests for the choir, swell and pedal reed divisions. New ranks added include the great 4′ flute, great trumpet 8′, and pedal unit trumpet 8′/bombarde 16′. Future additions include a great Sesquialtera II.
There are now a total of 43 ranks with 49 stops. The moveable console has keyboards with tracker touch. The oak shell is finished in a clear stain with zebra wood draw knobs and coupler tabs. MIDI record and playback is available and a sound module provides digital orchestral voices.
The instrument, centered on the front axis of the room, is now more tonally balanced and speaks well into the room. It is American Classic in design and sound with a nod to romantic and English tones in the accompanying divisions. Over all it is well-suited to the liturgical and concert needs of this congregation. Much appreciation is expressed to Ralph Daniel, organ curator, the team of craftsmen at Parkey Organ Builders and to the members of Holy Trinity for their support of this ongoing project.
SOLI DEO GLORIA