Something not quite correct?Suggest an Edit
We are grateful for the generous support of our sponsors, who make it possible for us to continue our mission of preserving and promoting the rich history of pipe organs across the globe.
Something missing or not quite correct?Add ImageorSuggest an Edit
Something missing or not quite correct?Add StoplistorSuggest an Edit
Something missing or not quite correct?Add ConsoleorSuggest an Edit
The church of St. Raphael has removed all mention of Austin Opus 558 from their parish website. According to a local instrument technician working with them, Fries Keyboard Works LLC, the Austin was never installed in the church because the re-assembly cost was too prohibitive. He stated that it "remains in storage". (https://frieskeyboardworks.com/organ/st-raphael-moller-opus-5688/about-the-project/)
The organ did, indeed, have 74 ranks and 92 stops, the latter figure including borrows and extensions. The Austin website did have a column labeled 'ranks' when it should have said 'stops' or 'registers.'
Instrument has been relocated to St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church in Old Mill Creek, Illinois.
References:
Diapason, April 24, 2015:
https://www.thediapason.com/news/historic-austin-organ-st-raphael-archangel-catholic-church
Church web site:
https://www.straphaelcatholic.org/our-story
Updated through online information from Kevin M O'Connell.
This web site has a picture of the facade. It had 32ft facade pipes on each side the stage! http://westsuburbanshrineclub.org/History-Wabash.htm
Updated through online information from Kristina Powers. -- Did research on this instrument after seeing online video from 2010; learned it is getting a new home at the new ediface of St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic church in Old Mill Creek. The new church is being constructed of two closed parishes.
Updated through on-line information from Dean Rosko. -- There seems to be some question as to how many ranks this organ actually contains. Austin's list says 92, I have read 74 in some places, and to the best of my counting ability, come up with 77 off of the stop/rank list published here. I'd be curious to know how many it really does, in fact, contain. [The Austin list includes non-speaking stops and extensions in its rank count, even when independent ranks of pipes are not present. Sevety-four actual ranks appears to be correct. Database Manager]
Updated through on-line information from Ryan Lander. -- According to Austin's Opus list, this organ is 92 ranks, not 77, unless there were mods done that are not included in the original list. Wonderful large organ, I'd like to see it installed and used again ! Shame it was going to be junked......
Updated through on-line information from Tom Nichol. -- The Medinah Temple building was purchased by Bloomingdales and was converted to a home furnishings "superstore." They had no use for the organ, and only the intervention of the City of Chicago itself saved the instrument from destruction. At last report, the organ was in storage until a new home could be found for it.
Status Note: There 1984
Something missing or not quite correct?Add NoteorAdd WebpageorAdd Cross ReferenceorSuggest an Edit