Pipe Organ Database

Berghaus Organ Co. (1976)

Originally Aeolian-Skinner Organ Co. (Opus 1235, 1951)

Exhibited in the 2002 OHS convention(s)

Location:

St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church
305 Circle Avenue
Forest Park, IL 60130 US
Sanctuary
Organ ID: 35427

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Status and Condition:

This instrument's location type is: Lutheran Churches
The organ has been altered 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 Paul R. Marchesano on April 11, 2022.

Technical Details:

Chests: Electro-pneumatic (EP)
54 ranks. 3,614 pipes. 5 divisions. 3 manuals.

Divisions

All:

Chest Type(s): Electro-pneumatic (EP) chests
Position: In a gallery-level case at the rear of the room.

We received the most recent update for this division from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.

Consoles

Main:

Manuals: 3
Divisions: 5
Position: Console in fixed position, center.
Manual Compass: 61
Pedal Compass: 32
Key Action: Electrical connection from key to chest.
Stop Action: Electric connection between stop control and chest.
Console Style: Traditional style with roll top.
Stop Controls: Drawknobs in vertical rows on angled jambs.
Combination Action: Remote pneumatic/mechanical capture system.
Swell Control Type: Balanced swell shoes/pedals, AGO standard placement.
Pedalboard Type: Concave radiating pedalboard meeting AGO Standards.
Has Tutti Reversible Thumb Pistons
Has Tutti Reversible Toe Pistons
Has Combination Action Thumb Pistons
Has Combination Action Toe 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.

Notes

Database Manager on September 13, 2015:

Updated through online information from Andrew Schaeffer.

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

Database Manager on September 30, 2012:

Updated through online information from T. Daniel Hancock.

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

Database Manager on September 26, 2012:

Updated through online information from T. Daniel Hancock.  -- "In 1976 Leonard Berghaus installed the Ruckpositiv and a hooded copper Ceremonial Trompete in the Great. . . The Ruckpositiv has no manual of its own.  It is played from the Great or Choir manuals.  The reeds used in this addition were made by Giesecke of Gottingen, West Germany and some or all of the flue-work may have come from Milwaulkee (Meyer?).  Paul Bunjes consulted on the additions and designed the display of the new pipework."

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

Database Manager on July 04, 2012:

Updated through online information from Andy Schaeffer.  -- The organ (one of the last G. Donald Harrison signature instruments) was originally installed in 1954.  In the early 1970's an 8' Festival Trumpet and a 2' Oktav were both added to the great (the 2' oktav being originally prepared for.)          At G. Donald Harrison's insistence, Aeolian-Skinner had prepared a design for a Ruckpositiv to complete the design.  Sadly, due to lack of funds, this particular design was never finished.  In 1976 Berghaus finally added a Ruckpositiv to a totally new tonal specification designed by Dr. Paul Bunjes of Concordia University Chicago (River Forest.)
At some point a Zimbelsturn was also added.
The console and all Aeolian-Skinner pipework (including G. Donald Harrison voicing) have remained untouched.

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

Database Manager on June 11, 2008:

Identified through information adapted from E. M. Skinner/Aeolian-Skinner Opus List, by Sand Lawn and Allen Kinzey (Organ Historical Society, 1997), and included here through the kind permission of Sand Lawn: 
 Additions to Aeolian-Skinner Opus 1235, including Rückpositiv.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on February 11, 2019.

Stoplists

Source not recorded: Open In New Tab Typed stoplist (Source: The Stopt Diapason, June 1981)
We received the most recent update for this stoplist from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.