Pipe Organ Database

a project of the organ historical society

Wicks Organ Co. (Opus 6419, 2004)

Location:

First Congregational Church
129 South Park Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49007 US
Sanctuary
Organ ID: 45647

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Status and Condition:

  • This instrument's location type is: Congregational Church
  • The organ is unaltered from its original state.
  • The organ's condition is good, in regular use.
We received the most recent update for this instrument's status from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: Wicks Direct Electric
  • 45 ranks. 5 divisions. 3 manuals. 71 stops.
All:
  • Chest Type(s): Wicks Direct Electric chests
  • Position: In side chambers at the front of the room. Facade pipes or case front visible.
We received the most recent update for this division from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Main:
  • Manuals: 3
  • Divisions: 5
  • Stops: 71
  • Position: Console in fixed position, left.
  • Manual Compass: 61
  • Pedal Compass: 32
  • Key Action: Electrical connection from key to chest.
  • Console Style: Traditional style with roll top.
  • Stop Controls: Drawknobs in vertical rows on angled jambs.
  • Combination Action: Computerized/Digital system.
  • Swell Control Type: Balanced swell shoes/pedals, AGO standard placement.
  • Pedalboard Type: Concave radiating pedalboard meeting AGO Standards.
  • Has Crescendo Pedal
  • Has Tutti Reversible Thumb Pistons
  • Has Tutti Reversible Toe Pistons
  • Has Combination Action Thumb Pistons
  • Has Coupler Reversible Thumb Pistons
  • Has Coupler Reversible Toe Pistons
We received the most recent update for this console from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Database Manager on July 02, 2011:

The Subterranean Tuba, on 20" of wind, is located in the basement and speaks through the floor behind expression shades. The organ also includes several ranks of pipes from the church's previous Austin organ.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on November 27, 2009:

Identified through on-line information from John Gouwens. -- This organ was from a brief period when Wicks was attempting to return to the style of organs they built in the 1930s with Vincent Willis. There were reportedly just four large organs that resulted from that initiative before there was a parting of ways, and the tonal people involved formed another company. This is an astoundingly convincing re-creation of a Willis-style "English" organ, and in fine acoustics, to boot! The organ is in its original home, but it includes seven ranks from a mostly-vandalized Austin that preceded it.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Source not recorded: Open In New Tab Stoplist taken from the console (June 30, 2011)
We received the most recent update for this stoplist from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.

Instrument Images:

Church Exterior: Photograph by Chad Boorsma. Taken on 2011-06-30

Church Exterior (back): Photograph by Chad Boorsma. Taken on 2011-06-30

Pipe Facade: Photograph by Chad Boorsma. Taken on 2011-06-30

Chancel: Photograph by Chad Boorsma. Taken on 2011-06-30

Sanctuary Interior and Chancel: Photograph by Chad Boorsma. Taken on 2011-06-30

Console: Photograph by Chad Boorsma. Taken on 2011-06-30

Console: Photograph by Chad Boorsma. Taken on 2011-06-30

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