Wm. Schuelke Organ Co.
Opus S-44, 1886

Updated through online information from Rodney J. Weed. -- From the Bethany Lutheran Church Centennial book i.e. 1870 - 1970. It is stated that this organ was contracted for in 1885 and installed in 1886 in the second Bethany Church building that had been completed in November of 1885. When initially installed it was placed at the back of the church in the Choir balcony. In 1930 as part of a church remodeling it was moved to the front of the church to the right of the altar. In 1950 for reasons not specified it was left in place but an electric organ was placed in front of it and used in its place. In 1963 the church completed the building of a new education building at a different location and began worshipping in a part of that building. It was also around this time that the Schuelke pipes were taken from the 1885 church building and stored in the attic of the new education building and then forgotten until their rediscovery around 1996. The key desk and case of the Schuelke organ were not saved or stored. Pipework re-used in a new Levsen organ.

Updated through on-line information from James R. Stettner.

The builder did not use opus numbers to identify his work, but the catalog number S-44 was assigned to this instrument by Elizabeth Towne Schmitt and may be used for reference.

Congregation built new church building in 1960's. Pipework stored. Pipework used in new organ by Levsen Organ Co.