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On Monday, June 30, 2003 at 3:00 PM, a semi from Schantz Organ Company in Orrville, Ohio arrived at St. John's. |
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The technicians' first task was to unload their tools and padded trays that would eventually be used to safely transport the organ pipes after removal. |
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Scaffolding was erected and organ pipes were removed from the right-hand chamber. The organ pedal board was also removed from the console, the top of which can be seen standing upright in front of the first pew. |
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This photo shows some of the smaller pipes that were removed and stored in padded trays for transport back to Orrville, OH. |
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Larger pipes are tuned by coiling and uncoiling a piece of lead sheet that covers the throat of the pipe, in much the same manner as opening a sardine can. After many years of tuning, this metal covering becomes weak and eventually breaks off. In this photo, you can see some of these metal coils that are held in place with duct tape or have fallen off. |
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Wind chests into which the pipes are nested and serve to direct the air supply to the pipes were removed and staged in the main aisle prior to transport. |
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In this photo, you can see the wear on the foot pedals that resulted from heavy use. |
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The organ console is shown here, after removal of the pedal board. Unfortunately the console did not fit through the opening. It had to be disassembled, removed in modules and then reassembled for transport. The entire console is estimated to weigh 600 pounds. |
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After removing the pedal board, the next step was to remove the module containing the stop pull knobs. The technicians lifted it upright 90 degrees and began detaching all connections from the main console. |
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The pedal board, covers and stop module have now been removed, showing the three manuals. |
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So that the console could be taken out, the front pew had to be unscrewed and pushed back. The technicians are reassembling the console, readying it for transport. The Schantz Organ semi was completely loaded and left for Orrville, OH on Wednesday morning, July 2, 2003. It is anticipated that the organ will return by Thanksgiving - hopefully sooner! |
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