Pipe Organ Database

Updated by Lia Ferrell, who has heard or played the organ.
This organ is still going strong in 2019. I play it every Sunday and the congregation sings heartily. Muller Pipe Organ Company is still maintaining and tuning it. With Michael Schreffler (organist at First UMC) I gave a concert on it on March 11, 2018.

Updated by J. A. Hefner, who has heard or played the organ.
I have had a few opportunities to play, record, and document this organ. Despite the high cost of maintenance, it is in very nice shape, with only a few quirks [the entire instrument is rather sharp, almost like each note sounds a quarter-tone higher than it should be...the blower and tremulant are very loud and mar the sound quality, and a few of the lower pedal notes don't work].
It has a basic combination action, with foot trundles for Great to Pedal reversible coupler, Piano/Soft, and Forte/Grand. The swell pedal is a crude mechanism with the heel connected to a shunt-lever which controls the internal swell-box shutters. It's open by default, and has to be manually held shut, but the pedal's position [and the bolted-down bench] make operation uncomfortable, unlike later Felgemakers with recessed right-side pedals and balanced pedals.
The façade pipes speak. Due to the instrument's location in an alcove, plus the loud blower and tremulant, it is somewhat quiet except in full-organ, and it isn't audible outside the sanctuary. At some point, the keys were replaced or otherwise refinished [the surfaces are plastic, not ivory or bone].

According to church history, the building was first built across the street in 1870, then dismantled and moved to present location in 1917-1918. At this time, Christ Episcopal in Springfield was planning to install a new Skinner organ [opus 285, thanks to Ellen Bushnell] to replace its Felgemaker opus 430. Trinity never had a pipe organ, so they expressed interest and acquired ABF opus 430, installing it in the reconstructed church. It is the only Felgemaker from Springfield to still play, and it is one of the oldest playing Felgemakers I have found. It sounds nice in spite of its quirks. Thankfully, the current vicar and congregation want to keep it, and it will be the subject of more performances and recordings to come.

Updated by Louis Huffman, who did not provide the source of his information.

Updated through online information from Tim Wilson. -- This instrument was relocated in 1918 from Christ Episcopal Church, Springfield, Ohio when they installed their new E.M. Skinner, Opus 285. The organ is completely original except for the electric blower. Some releathering has been performed over the years.
The organ was for sale with Organ Clearing House in the early 2000's. When the priest (at the time the organ was listed for sale) left Trinity Church, the congregation did not want to sell their instrument so it remains still in use today. The instrument is used each Sunday for mass. Muller Pipe Organ Company, Croton, Ohio is responsible for the maintenance and tuning. Trinity Church makes every effort, as funds are available, to keep the organ in a good state of playing condition.

Updated through online information from Earl Green. -- I practiced on this organ from age 8 through 18 (1972-1980). It was still playing in 1994 when I returned to London. It was for sale on the Organ Clearing House Website some time back. Don't know if it sold.

From Springfield, OH.