In September 1886 the Reverend Ernest M. McMillen was called as the sixth pastor of First Church and remained for two years. In this short period the church membership skyrocketed to 614 persons. In 1887 alone, 214 were added to the church roster. McMillen resigned on June 20, 1888. About this time the church's first pipe organ, of unknown manufacture, was installed. The church's Pipe Organ Society had been formed shortly after the church had been completed to raise awareness for the need of a fine instrument and to raise funds for it. The chamber intended for its reception was not used, the organ being placed instead in the rear of the platform at the front of the auditorium .. A 1905 photograph of the organ in the present building shows a simple instrument in a handsome Gothic case. Three flats of pipes front the organ, the center flat of nine pipes, the outer flats of five pipes each. Interestingly, a letter exists in the letter books of Wm. H. Clarke & Co. of Indianapolis, dated March 3, 1878, asking to renew discussions with the church about an organ. The letter noted that discussions had occurred with the previous pastor, and that the church's dedication had recently been celebrated. The letter proposed an organ available for $1,500 "that 3 years ago could not be furnished for less than $2,000."

On October 16, 1878, Clarke wrote G.M. Overstreet, Esq., that it had several organs built on speculation available, priced at $1,600, negotiable. It also noted having "a large size portable pipe organ-as good as new original price $800.00 and will deliver it for $450.00." This might have been the organ in the First Christian Church, Columbus, taken in trade that same year. Given the lengthy time it took to actually purchase an organ for the church, this instrument was likely not the one placed in Franklin. However, the successor of the Clarke firm, Thomas Prentice Sanborn, may have been the provider.
-- 2007 OHS Atlas