Calvary’s New Pipe Organ- Opus 167

Cornel Zimmer Pipe Organ, Opus 167

Calvary UMC’s new pipe organ was completed in March 2024. It contains 46 ranks, 2,796 pipes, 129 draw-knobs, and a 4-manual console. The organ is designed to include a 9-rank Gallery division, which has been prepared for in the new console.

The beautiful new casework in the Chancel intentionally coordinates with the hand-carved reredos behind the altar and is constructed from white oak. The console shell is also constructed from white oak with walnut accentuating the stop jams and the manuals. The organ was designed in the “symphonic” style and its warm, rich tone generously supports congregational singing. Its wide range of musical capabilities allow organists to present a broad spectrum of musical genres from baroque to modern-day composers. The organ also contains pipes from Calvary UMC’s previous organs. These “heritage pipes” were restored and revoiced to fit the tonal scheme of the new organ. Calvary UMC is excited to incorporate its organ history into the new instrument in this way.

The organ makes use of the latest in digital technology. A judiciously selected number of digital sounds and extensions are used where space is limited. The organ is equipped with Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) as well as a sequencer to record and play back. 

Cornel Zimmer Organ Builders (CZOB), established in 1992, has a long history of organ building, restoration, and repair. Its owner, Cornel Zimmer, is a fourth-generation organ builder. The CZOB staff’s ability to consider multiple options and find creative ways to build the best organ possible within the church’s budget and limited chancel and chamber space, incorporate the church’s case design wishes so beautifully, and their skillful selection of approximately 35 percent of Calvary UMC’s existing pipework as heritage pipes were some of the primary reasons that CZOB was selected.

Calvary UMC, established in 1770, has a history that includes a deep commitment and dedication to music and was home to three M.P. Moller organs. The first one was built in 1895, and the second in 1911. The third was constructed for Calvary UMC’s current location in 1930, and was a 17-rank, 3-manual organ, and included windchests and pipes from the 1911 organ. This organ was overhauled in 1953 and rebuilt in 1975, when cantilevered windchests were added to the chancel area and the number of ranks grew to 36. These organs served the congregation and community well for nearly 130 years.

When the existing organ was rapidly reaching the end of its useful life, the church created the Pipe Organ Research Committee to study the options of refurbishing or replacing the instrument. After many hours of meeting with builders and visiting many churches to see and hear their organs, a complete replacement was recommended. Fundraising began, but the onset of COVID-19 slowed the progress and delayed the building of the Gallery division to a future date. Finally, a contract was signed in late 2021.  A Pipe Organ Building Committee was established to oversee the building process, including preparatory work in the church building. The existing organ was dismantled and removed in August 2022, and installation of the new organ began in November 2023. 

On April 28, 2024, Calvary UMC’s new pipe organ was dedicated to the glory of God during its morning worship service, followed that afternoon by an outstanding dedicatory concert by renowned international concert organist Nathan Laube.

Cornel Zimmer Pipe Organ, Opus 167- Stop List

Dedication Concert by Nathan Laube Program