The Bedient Organ

History of the Organ

Since the church’s founding in 1872, the organ has always had a central place in the sanctuary of First Congregational Church. The first organ used to accompany congregational singing was a small reed organ owned by the first organist, Lottie Ledyard.

In 1889, a Wm. Johnson organ was installed into the first church building fondly called “God’s Barn”. That organ found its way into the present church sanctuary in 1909 until its removal in 1921. Through Carnegie funds, a brand new Moeller pipe organ was installed in the sanctuary in 1921/1922. Ten years after its installation, a fire badly damaged the west part of the church and nearly destroyed the pipe organ. The church was repaired and remodeled, and the organ was completely rebuilt into two side chambers with a non-speaking façade. In 1952, a fire broke out in the console after an electric space heater had been left on accidentally. Luckily, the fire was contained to just the console and the current console was installed.

It wasn’t until 1967 that the organ had another major rebuilding project. This project was completed by Reuter Organ Company from Lawrence, Kansas. At this time the majority of the organ moved back behind the non-speaking façade, and much work was done to prepare for the completion of the organ in the future.

In 2001, the Bedient Organ Co. submitted a plan for the renovation/completion of the organ to finish work that had been done to update wiring, the console, and add pipework to complete the prepared stops.

In 2006, along with the renovation/restoration of the sanctuary, the old organ was removed by Bedient Organ Co. In an almost two year long process, the new organ was installed at the end of 2007 to complete the sanctuary. It is now the crowning jewel of our beautiful sanctuary, and the music it produces enlivens worship and congregational singing.

Bedient Op. 81 Stoplist