Balcom and Vaughan
Opus 526A, 1968

This entry describes alterations to an existing organ.
Identified by Marvin Schurke, based on personal knowledge of the organ.

Gloria Dei was in downtown Olympia when it acquired a used organ attributed to William Schuelke of Milwaukee, WI. See: Olympia, WA, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, William Schuelke, 1937.
In 1951, Balcom and Vaughan (then of Seattle) rebuilt and enlarged the organ while relocating it to a new edifice on Olympia-s west side. Electro-pneumatic chests and a new (or at least newer) console were substituted. Three ranks of pipes were added. See: Olympia, WA, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Balcom and Vaughan, Opus 526, 1951.
In 1968, Balcom and Vaughan moved Opus 526 to a new sanctuary on the west end of the same city block and enlarged it to 18 ranks (described in this entry). It has since been enlarged twice ( Balcom and Vaughan Opus 526B and Michael Gardner, Opus 5. )