Quimby Pipe Organ

Feb. 19 after the 10:30 Service, Marsha Medley will be introducing us to our Quimby Organ.  The following was written up for the newsletter several years ago about our acquisition of the organ.

"On Nov. 15, 1993, three Ryder Trucks pulled up to the church, bringing our new 25 rank pipe organ, made by Quimby Pipe Organs, Inc., Warrensburg, Mo.  this brings to reality a dream of th Schwehr-Hann families, a dream that St. Mark Church should have a very fine organ.

The late Marie Schwehr-Hann provided the gift that made this possible, drawing on the vision of her brother, the late William Schwehr, with very supportive encouragement from his wife Caroline Schwehr.  Bill long reflected his interest in worship at St. Mark.  He served very effectively as Head Usher and as chairman of the Worship Committee during his term as an elder.

A pipe organ is custom designed for its location.  The greater amount of the sound comes out of the top of the pipes.  Given the shape of our sanctuary ceiling, the sound  will mix into a pleasant blend, as it bounces off our hexagonal ceiling.

Our organ has 1454 pipes, according to Quimby Vice-President, Richard Miller.  The pipes that are less than four fee in length are an alloy of tin and lead.  The larger pipes are zinc, and there are some wooden pipes.

The research of our St. Mark Organ Committee revealed that Quimby Pipe Organs has emerged as one of the finer organ manufacturers in the nation, and they are here in Missouri.  As this Newsletter goes to press, Mike Quimby, President of the company, and Kevin Kissinger, company Organist, are in the final steps of installation, that is (1) voicing-making the pipes play properly, (2) tuning-setting the pitch, and (3) finishing-making the pipes sound right in the acoustical setting of our Sanctuary.

The organ will first be used in worship Dec. 5, 1993 at 9:00 and 10:30 AM.  An Introductory Recital will be given that afternoon at 3:00 PM by Mr. Kevin Kissinger.  Refreshments will follow.  The congregation and the public are invited.

The Dedicatory Recital will be Feb. 13, 1994 at 4:00 PM with organist Mr. Ronald Arnatt of Boston, formerly of St. Louis.

St. Mark Church is richly blessed to have such a gift.  Let's give thanks."