In 1895, Avon UMC received its instrument as a gift from Mrs. Alva Carpenter, who paid $2,400 for the A. B. Felgemaker tracker organ, Opus 606, from Erie, Pennsylvania. The organ was dedicated on August 22, 1895, with a concert by Herve D. Wilkins, a respected local concert organist and a founder of the American Guild of Organists. In the early 1900s, the organ's blower was converted to electric, and some years later, the organ was moved from its original front and center position to the front right side. During a church renovation in the 1950s, a wall was built that completely enclosed the organ except for the keyboard. The wall was removed and the casing restored in July 1995 as part of a complete restoration, regulation, and cleaning of the organ carried out by the Lauren A. Peckham & Sons Pipe Organ Service. Peckham and Sons also replaced old leather, refinished the pedalboard, repaired pipes that were damaged by a poorly executed attempt to raise the pitch of the instrument, releathered the double-rise reservoir, and repaired the old blower. A rededication concert was given on August 20, 1995 - almost one hundred years later to the day of its 1895 dedication concert. --Margaret-Mary Owens
Updated through online information from Nancy Sullivan.
The pipe stenciling renovation that was mentioned earlier has unfortunately not taken place due to financial reasons. This organ is tuned on a regular yearly basis and is in excellent condition. It is used on a regular basis.
Updated through online information from Nancy Sullivan.
Status Note: There 1966.
Chancel and Organ Case: Photograph by Nancy Sullivan. Taken on 2012-03-03
Chancel and Organ Case: Photograph by Nancy Sullivan. Taken on 2010-12-18
