News - The Renovation of The St. Joseph Organ

Welcome to our pages - news about the St. Joseph Organ Renovation.

• Our beautiful pipe organ was installed and dedicated in 1903. Built by the Pilcher Organ Company of Louisville Mo., it took three years to build, and it was the largest and most significant pipe organ in the South at that time. In 1985, the organ was rebuilt by the Schicker Organ Company. Thus, there has been nearly 50 years since the last renovation, and there are parts remaining that are 100 years old.
• This organ is, in all ways, an historically significant organ, with pipework over 100 years old. It has continually been in service nearly every day since 1903.
• We are now at a crossroads where much of the organ is failing. Notes don't sound, we experience mechanical noises, failure of electrical and winding parts.
• We have accepted a proposal for the complete renovation of the organ by The Lewtak Organ company of Mocksville NC.
see: Lewtak.com
•  The Lewtak Organ Company, founded by Tom Lewtak has a 20+ year track record of excellent work.
•  The entire organ will be renovated to a standard of excellence, surpassing its original condition.
•  The entire facade of the organ (the pipes under the Rose Window) will be repainted to a new design - see the beautiful rendering as a proposal.
• The entire organ, 3400 pipes, including the console (where the organist sits and plays) will be removed this February to their shop in Mocksville NC, and the organ will be re-installed again before Christmas of 2026 - watch for dedication events!
• During this time, we have a digital organ with special speakers that will serve us very well for masses, weddings and all other events, we are confident that this will sound good for the interim period.
• We are deeply grateful to the generous parishioners of St. Joseph for supporting this project and for securing the future of worship at St. Joseph!
• We will have a website where we post news!
Further information:

The Use of the organ in our Community.
Since, our church is a traditional Catholic Church, the organ is played at virtually every celebration in our parish. Due to the size of our congregation attending and the architectural layout of our church, there is no room for a piano in the church or anywhere to accommodate a musical group other than in the loft.
Just this last year the organ was played at five Masses each weekend: 260 Masses a year. Approximately 30 weddings, 20 funerals. 54 elementary school masses and other events of various kinds, 12 Mount de Sales Masses. All schools, Diocesan ordinations, Diocesan Jubilee Masses, Red Mass, White Mass. Confirmations, First Communions, 7 Stations of the Cross, 3 penance services…etc.

Concerts and musical events.
The Third Thursday Concert series, which takes place from January to May, is now in its 19th year. The series has showcased organists from all over the world, who have made a pilgrimage to St. Joseph because of the fine organ, splendid acoustics and historical architecture. As well, there are up to a dozen other musical events a year, such as the Kolbe Center Benefit Concert, visiting choirs, such as the Tallis Scholars, the Hamburg KnabenChor, and many others. As well, Mercer University hold’s their Annual Lessons and Carols here at St. Joseph. Their students regularly use our organ for practice and performances. The instrument has been pivotal to our school children as far as teaching them about the liturgy and music of the church.

FAQ:
1. Will the organ be louder?
No, but it will sound more cohesive and in tune!
2. What instrument will we have in the interim?
The organ we will have as a temporary replacement we have actually purchased from the Viscount Organ Company. It is a digital (electronic) instrument that is designed to imitate a pipe organ. If you are interested in hearing this instrument, just e-mail me and we can arrange it. We have it set up to play as soon as the pipes are removed.
3. When will the organ be removed?
We will soon have an exact date, in February.
4. When will the organ return?
Before Christmas, 2026.
5. Who is the company doing the renovation?
The Lewtak Organ company under president Tom Lewtak is one of the most highly regarded companies in the country. They build brand new organs, and well as maintain and repair and renovate old instruments. as well being a company founded by Polish Catholics, they well understand the place of the organ in our Catholic Liturgy.