Chad Boorsma on March 3rd, 2022:
The church's chapel organ task force exceeded its 2021 goal and sent the down payment to organ builder, Richards, Fowkes & Co. Continuing goals for 2022 and 2023 include approaching donors of varying gift levels, continuing education about the need for a new pipe organ in Milner Chapel, and beginning work with the architects to solidify plans for the balcony and organ (information from T. Bradford Wills)
T. Bradford Willis, DDS on September 19th, 2021:
I received a letter dated September 13, 2021 from Dr. Michelle Louer, the Director of Music and Fine Arts at Second Church, concerning some history of this Casavant organ. In January of 2017 the stop combination action ceased to function, and in 2018 the upper manual would not sound. A new organ, built by Richards, Fowkes & Company, will be a two-manual, 19-rank instrument designed specifically to work with the acoustics in the chapel. A gallery/balcony will be constructed above the chapel door that will hold the new organ console and pipes, as well as soloists and small ensembles.
Database Manager on September 30th, 2012:
Updated through online information from Timothy E. Conyers. -- From an undated booklet, "Architecture and Symbolism of Second Presbyterain Church", Page 21 under The Milner Chapel, "The Casavant pipe organ dedicated in 1974, is voiced especially for the room's acoustics and organ literature appropriate for worship, weddings and memorial services." Underneath this description is a photograph of the old pipe facade which reads, "Framed by the pipes of the old Kilgen organ brought from the downtown church, the window depicts Christ teaching his disciples what we know as the Lord's Prayer." This old Kilgen pipe facade was located above the chapel altar and surrounded the rose window. This facade was still in place as late as 1985 when I took a photograph of it during a wedding. It was later removed but the architectural decoration holding the pipes was left in place as can be seen from photos on this page.
Database Manager on February 1st, 2011:
Updated through on-line information from Jeff Scofield.
Database Manager on July 30th, 2007:
Updated through on-line information from Jeff Scofield. -- The case is located on a specially-built platform on the rear wall over the chapel door.