About the Letourneau Opus #112

 

Edenton Street ’s new Sanctuary Organ was designed and built by, Orgues Letourneau Limitee, St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada. It replaces the M. P. Moller Opus 9054, a 48-rank instrument that was installed when the sanctuary was rebuilt in 1957.  The Moller organ was enlarged to 60 ranks in 1972.

 

As one of the largest organs Letourneau has built to date, the organ, designated Opus # 112 by its builder, ranks as the largest pipe organ in eastern North Carolina and one the largest in the southeastern United States. Exceptional in size, design and physical beauty, the 98-rank Letourneau organ has 5,447 pipes, 101 independent stops and five divisions. In addition, the organ has been built to accommodate an additional 15 ranks (920 additional pipes) in an Antiphonal/Echo division that will be located in the rear of the sanctuary above the balcony. This division of the organ has been designed; however, it remains silent until funding is available for its construction and installation.

 

A unique part of the design of the organ comes from the fact that 34 ranks of the former Moller organ are incorporated into the instrument. It was the desire of the Sanctuary Organ Committee, as an act of good stewardship, to find a way to incorporate salvageable parts of the old organ into the new instrument. Letourneau was the only organ builder interviewed that readily understood the desire of the Committee.  Usable Moller ranks were taken to Letourneau’s workshops in St. Hyacinthe where they were refurbished and/or revoiced to fit within the tonal design of the new instrument. Thus, such stops as the harp, carillon and chimes among others that were special to the congregation continue to live in the new organ.

 

Opus 112 is an electro-pneumatic instrument featuring a slider windchest design. The slider chest design offers the reliability of a “tracker” or mechanical linkage organ with the flexibility of having pipes housed in two distinct locations in the Chancel and an Antiphonal division that will be located above the balcony. The console can be moved from its normal location on the west side of the chancel to various places within the chancel. This feature is especially desirable when organ concerts are held so that the audience may see the organist at work.

 

The finest oak was secured for the casework and console; maple for the swell boxes, pedals and wooden pipes; yellow poplar for the chests, reservoirs and windlines; and bone and ebony for the keys.  Tin, lead and zinc alloys were used to make the metal pipes. Wind for the organ is supplied by three blowers; one for the east chamber located adjacent to the choir room and two for the west chamber which are located in a room on northwest mezzanine.

 

Design of Opus 112 began in 2005.  A scheduling opportunity with Letourneau, allowed work on the organ to accelerate in late 2005. The organ was finally delivered to Edenton Street Church on November 4, 2007.  Over 150 church members ventured downtown on a sunny Sunday afternoon to form a “pipe brigade” to unload two 53-foot tractor-trailer trucks (a task that was completed in 4 hours).

 

The congregation vacated the sanctuary for three Sundays in November 2007 so construction of the instrument could proceed uninterrupted. A six-man team from Letourneau worked tirelessly over a three-week period while the organ was being assembled. Although the organ was not completely finished, it played for the first time on December 23, 2007 as a Christmas gift to the congregation. 

 

The organ spoke in its entirety for the first time at a dedication service on Palm Sunday afternoon – March 16, 2008. With almost 1,200 people in attendance, including Fernand Letourneau, its builder, the organ inspired the congregation with its dynamic range and magnificent color.

 

The new Letourneau organ makes a powerful statement about the importance of music as an act of worship at Edenton Street Church. 

 

Music has often been defined as a window through which we can better see the glory of God.  The Edenton Street United Methodist Church Sanctuary Organ greatly enhances the clarity of our church’s spiritual vision.

 

 

 

The Sanctuary Organ Committee

 

William R. Cross – Chairperson

Dr. Mary Susan Fulghum

C. A. Dillon, Jr.

Page Billingsley

James A. Cox

Jack Phillips

Beth Norris

Hardin Sigmon

Dr. William J. Weisser

Joshua Dumbleton 

 

Click here for the specification.

 

A  recital series to showcase the new Letourneau Organ will continue begining in september 2009.  Click here for a brochure.