Owner
2018

In early 2018, following denial of a request to relegate the St. Sebastian Church to “profane but not sordid use,” a petition was made with the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C., for canonical recourse with the Congregation for the Clergy at the Vatican. But by this time, selective demolition work had already begun: the stained glass windows were removed, the ceiling mural artwork extracted from plaster, and all architectural millwork salvaged. Fortunately, Fr. Thomas Buffer, pastor of Sacred Hearts, became aware of the organ’s availability. Fr. Buffer wanted a pipe organ for the newly completed sanctuary of Sacred Hearts, and he received favorable input from William Heyer, the architect, and Michael Herzog, president of Peebles-Herzog, Inc. Accordingly, he arranged for quick salvage of the Pilcher organ. Though the electric utility was disconnected from the St. Sebastian Church property, the organ’s mechanical action and handpumped wind system allowed Fr. Buffer and others to hear the musical possibilities offered by this historic organ. Disassembled over a marathon three-day project in February, 2018, the organ was removed to safety by parishioners, volunteers, and a number of mid-Ohio organ enthusiasts, all coordinated by Fr. Buffer. His foresight proved invaluable: once the Congregation for the Clergy refused to hear the case, the closed St. Sebastian Church was promptly demolished.

The reinstalled Pilcher was dedicated in concert on August 11, 2019, with Fr. Buffer, Elizabeth Lacobucci, and Angela Carbetta playing selections by Bach, Brahms, Frescobaldi, Zipoli, Post, and Dandrieu.
-- Pipe Organs of Columbus, OHS 2022

The church was completed November 2015 and replaced one that burned in November 2013.