THE KLAIS PIPE ORGAN – ITS HISTORY, ITS IMPACT, ITS LEGACY.
First Church has been blessed by our Klais pipe organ since 2010. But it represents the culmination of ten years of prayerful consideration. Following years of congregational debate, the Pipe Organ Committee was formed in the fall of 2000 with a generous gift from Lewis and Alice Burr, with the charge of exploring options for a new pipe organ to replace our failing electronic organ. Led by Charlotte Dyslin and Jim Eggensperger, members included Tim Clark, Bob Dodge, Jan Collett, Peggy Gettig, Neil Hauck, Heather Hamilton, Punchy Blish Kaess, Paul Knox, Peter Mott, Kit Ober, Jacque Paige, and David Spollett. One year later, Justin Bischof was hired as organ consultant, and the committee decided that the instrument should have tracker action, for superiority and longevity, as its life expectancy is 300 years.
After an acoustical study of the sanctuary conducted by Kirkegaard Associates, the committee embarked upon an “organ crawl,” visiting organs in New York City, Montreal, Connecticut and Westchester to help determine what would be right for our sanctuary. The Klais organ at Irvington Presbyterian Church in Irvington, NY offered the sound and presence the Committee felt would work best for First Church, given our desire for an organ versatile enough to support congregational singing, anthem accompaniments and a broad range of solo repertoire. Due to the tragic events of 9/11, the project was put on hold in September 2001. Revived in 2004, fundraising began in earnest and, in February 2008, the Congregation voted to enter into an agreement with Johannes Klais Orgelbau, located in Bonn, Germany.
Recognizing the need for structural changes, the Committee hired Neil Hauck Architects, headed by Neil Hauck, a member of the Pipe Organ Committee. Relying on advice from the acoustical consultants and working closely with Klais, Neil redesigned our sanctuary to prepare for the organ’s installation. The services of Henry and Gerety were retained to perform the difficult task of making significant changes to the front of the sanctuary. In 2009, Phase 1 was completed, pushing the choir area forward into the nave space, while removing as few pews as possible in the process. In addition, the proscenium arch at the front of the sanctuary, which presented a major acoustical and visual impediment for the new instrument, was removed. In 2010, Phase 2 installed the organ, and made the important decision to relocate three Tiffany windows, which initially would have been hidden by the new organ, to the rear of the Webb Room, where the natural light once again allows them to shine.
On Sunday, November 14, 2010, Justin Bischof played the dedication recital. Since that time, the organ has enriched our worship each Sunday, and been played by both rising stars and established concert artists from throughout the world. Distinguished concert artists that have played our organ include Justin Bischof and Rene Anne Louprette, as well as several winners of the Greater Bridgeport Chapter, American Guild of Organists’ M. Louise Miller-Paul Knox Scholarship.
If you are an Organ enthusiast, you may be interested in the technical specifications of the First Church organ! Check out all the information in the link below.