Emil Witzmann
1885ca.
St. John United Church of Christ
1475 W Algonquin Road
Palatine, IL, US
8 Ranks - 421 Pipes
Instrument ID: 1194 ● Builder ID: 6841 ● Location ID: 1156
⬆️ These are database IDs that may change. Don't use as academic reference.EXPLORE IMAGESVIEW STOPLISTSomething not quite correct?Suggest an Edit
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IMAGES
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STOPLISTS
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CONSOLES
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Builder: Unknown
Position: Keydesk Attached
Design: Traditional With a Keyboard Cover That Can Be Lifted To Form a Music Rack
Pedalboard Type: Flat Straight
Features:
1 Manuals (58 Notes)27 Note Pedal2 Divisions8 StopsMechanical (Unknown) Key ActionMechanical Stop ActionStop Layout: Drawknobs in Horizontal Rows on Flat Jambs
Expression Type: No Enclosed Divisions
Combination Action: Unknown
Control System: Unknown or N/A
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DETAILS
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Exhibited in the 2002 OHS convention(s)
This instrument is: Extant and Playable in this location
Paul R. Marchesano on April 6th, 2022:
The organ is attributed to Emil Witzmann. From the *2002 OHS Handbook*: "...the organ probably dates from around 1885, contemporaneously with or shortly after the church's dedication. It bears no nameplate, but the initials "E W " can b e found on pipework; moreover, it is similar in design, construction and pipe markings to an instrument three stops larger at a sister congregation, Immanuel United Church of Christ in nearby Streamwood. This organ was visited as part of the 1984 Organ Historical Society convention, and is definitely known to have been built in 1888; it is also without a nameplate and has no builder named in church records. The "prickly" Gothic treatment of both cases, in carrying the arches fully over the pipework, was a declining style in this countr y by then, and points to their manufacture by a smaller, regional, more conservative organbuilder less concerned with or influenced by the latest organ trends. Further evidence points to a local solution. One of Saint John's histories says that the organ cost $875, which would be a reasonable price of about $roo a stop for an organ built regionally in the 1880s, but not from a firm with national clients with the attendant extra shipping costs. Germanic parishes, particularly rural ones, also tended to buy organs from a fairly local market, and usually from Germanic builders if possible, for reasons of ethnic relationship."
The organ is attributed to Emil Witzmann. From the *2002 OHS Handbook*: "...the organ probably dates from around 1885, contemporaneously with or shortly after the church's dedication. It bears no nameplate, but the initials "E W " can b e found on pipework; moreover, it is similar in design, construction and pipe markings to an instrument three stops larger at a sister congregation, Immanuel United Church of Christ in nearby Streamwood. This organ was visited as part of the 1984 Organ Historical Society convention, and is definitely known to have been built in 1888; it is also without a nameplate and has no builder named in church records. The "prickly" Gothic treatment of both cases, in carrying the arches fully over the pipework, was a declining style in this countr y by then, and points to their manufacture by a smaller, regional, more conservative organbuilder less concerned with or influenced by the latest organ trends. Further evidence points to a local solution. One of Saint John's histories says that the organ cost $875, which would be a reasonable price of about $roo a stop for an organ built regionally in the 1880s, but not from a firm with national clients with the attendant extra shipping costs. Germanic parishes, particularly rural ones, also tended to buy organs from a fairly local market, and usually from Germanic builders if possible, for reasons of ethnic relationship."
Database Manager on November 1st, 2015:
Updated through online information from Laura DArgo.
Database Manager on June 7th, 2011:
Updated through on-line information from Connor Annable.
Database Manager on September 5th, 2009:
Updated through on-line information from Scott Regula.
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