E. Kessler
Opus 45, 1844

I just visited the Sitka Lutheran church and played the organ myself.

Updated by Tim Link, who has heard or played the organ.

The gracious folks at Sitka Lutheran allowed me to play this little gem. It has a beautiful sound and smooth action. A CD played by Harvey Huiner on this organ is available through the church which shows off the organ's rich diversity of sound. According to an excellent and thorough article in The Tracker (1996) by David Dahl, "the keyboard is constructed so that it can fold up vertically into the case; three square stopknob shanks are positioned at each end of the keyboard, pulling sideways toward the center of the case. Presumably both folding keyboard and sideways stopknobs were designed for safety in shipping, avoiding any protruding parts in the case." This article references another Tracker article by Paul Schneider (20:2:14). Go to pasiorgan.com for Dahl's complete article, many pictures, and other interesting information about the restoration.

Updated through online information from John Speller. -- There are five stops -- 8' Gedeckt, 8' Gamba, 4' Principal, 4' Floete and 2' Octave. There is an additional register, marked "Nihil" which is a spare stop to make for symmetry between the left and right stop jambs. The old German Gamba is a rare survival. The organ may be blown electrically or by hand.

Updated through online information from James R. Stettner.

Updated through online information from James R. Stettner.

Status Note: There 1993.

Original building abandoned 1865 and organ moved to museum in Presbyterian mission. Temporarily used in Lutheran 1942, then returned to museum. Placed in new Lutheran building 1983. Heavily damaged by fire Dec. 1993. Restored 1995/96 by Martin Pasi.