Grace Organ

 

The Grace Organ plays a vital role in the ministry of worship. A pipe organ of this size and complexity required a large financial commitment from our church. To meet this commitment, the organ committee implemented a multi-phased installation over 15 years. Through faithful giving and the grace of God, this long-awaited, magnificent instrument was completed.

The Shantz Organ Company of Orrville, Ohio, working with the organ committee, spent innumerable hours crafting this instrument.  It was designed to meet the diverse needs of our congregation, which appreciates its more than 200-year history, yet ministers to an increasingly post-modern culture.  The Grace Organ now has 78 stops consisting of 4,645 pipes, 83 pipe ranks and two digital ranks, making it presently one of the largest pipe organs in East Tennessee.

Those who love pipe organs may enjoy knowing about some of the specific characteristics of this instrument.  The tonal design, which controls the complexity and diversity of sounds it can produce, was expanded.  The final phase of installation included the addition of two antiphonal divisions on the face of the balcony, a fanfare division and a V rank cornet on the great division.  The crowning addition, the horizontal trompette en chamade, which translates "loud trumpet," is voiced on 12 inches of wind pressure.

The tonal finishing, which adjusts the tonal quality of the pipes to the room, was completed by Stephen Brown and Frederick Heffner. They regulated each pipe for color, power, blend, attack and pitch to provide optimum sound quality.

The Grace Organ produces a unique sound quality because of its distinctive style, in which the pipes are installed in their own specially constructed case, or wooden surround.  Mr. Terry Eason, a church interior design architect from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, designed the beautiful case to harmonize with the Georgian architecture of our sanctuary.

We believe the Grace Organ nobly serves our church in the worship of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Its versatility meets our diverse needs.  It is our prayer that it enhances the worship experience of each member and is enjoyed by the entire community.  In the words of Johann Sebastian Bach "Soli Deo Gloria"... to God alone be the glory.