Wilder Bentley
1970 ca.

The organist must pull out the "Pedal Check" drawknob to unlock the pedals. This is the only drawknob which does anything; the others are decorative [sic: disabled].

All stops are enabled by the up/down selectors above the Swell keyboard. Stop selection on both Great and Swell utilize electric motors hooked to mechanical linkages.

Swell shutters (vertical blinds) are controlled by the one expression pedal through direct linkage.

Manuals are tracker action. Swell to Great couplers utilize mechanical action, although an electric motor pivots the assembly to enable or disable it. Pedal stops are electro-pneumatic action, each pipe has its own electrically controlled valve triggered using logic from switches on each pedal + the Pedal stop selectors. Swell/Great to Pedal couplers, like the manual couplers, use tracker action with an electric motor to pivot the assemblies into place.

Great and Swell each have buttons [pistons] 1-4 for registration combinations, but the mechanism breaks easily, and is therefore not supposed to be used regularly.

Blower is electric, on/off buttons on console.

Playability: The organ is played weekly for Masses, additionally for other services, and is used by organ students for practicing. Issues frequently arise, especially during cold weather. Without onsite volunteer caretakers to address these, the instrument would be unplayable. The organ is in need of refurbishment.

• Russell Krishnan Myjak

Sunday 9:00am organist
St. Benedict's Church
Atchison, KS

Updated through online information from Alicia Brozovich. -- The organ is in heavy use, being used nearly daily for liturgical services, Masses, as well as regular practice by students and parish musicians alike. The organ is quickly becoming in more need of restoration, but for now it suffices for all parish needs.

Builder's Nameplate: Bennett Organ Co.

The original builder was Lancashire-Marshall (1895, Opus 95).

Status Note: There 1997

Rebuilt and electrification by Cliff Bennett. Compass 61/30.