Farrand Organ Restoration

This 1904 Farrand two manual 9 rank reed organ with pedalboard belongs to the First Congregational Church of Silverton, Colorado. Built in 1876, they ordered the organ new in 1904. The church building is unchanged and the sanctuary still has its original alter. The church and organ were featured in the 1954 movie "Run For Cover" starring James Cagney filmed in Silverton. The organ has not been played in decades and was in a state of disrepair. After many hours of cleaning and adjustments to the control rods and the addition of a professional blower unit, the organ pedalboards can once again be played. The organ has both foot pedals for air supply to the wind reservoir and a side pump handle when the pedalboard was to be used. Very few people currently in the church have heard the organ play. What a delight to restore it for them. While I enjoy playing, I am by no means a pro. The only downside to the blower unit is that it has no variable speed to allow for proper volume control as you would have using the manual pumping method which keeps you from using the pedalboard. It has couplers that allow Pedal to Great and Pedal to Swell but not the reverse.

[@ianthompson9201]

Congratulations on the restoration. Let's hope that the church will use this organ regularly from now on and that other churches will be inspired to put their own forgotten instruments back into service.

[@crissahope9657]

This sounds really beautiful.

[@mrhomemaker9377]

Another 2mp rescued well done!

[@lyndatilton6125]

That song is "How Great Thou Art".