Restoration Archive
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | Earlier Work
| Model | Client | Location | Summary of Work Completed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | |||
| 1897 W.W. Kimball, Co. | First Presbyterian Church | Lexington, Kentucky | Rebuild and Expansion Opus 34R |
| 2006 | |||
| 2005 | |||
| 2004 | |||
| Möller Chapel Organ, Opus 9569 | St. Paul's Episcopal Church | Indianapolis, Indiana | Re-voicing and new façade pipes. Photograph |
| 1929 Hinners Opus 2986 | Sacred Heart Catholic Church | Farmer City, Illinois | Complete restoration of 1929 Hinners electro-pneumatic action organ. 1929 Hinners Opus 2986, Console prior to restoration |
| 1970 Kriisa | First Lutheran Church | Decatur, Illinois | Buzard Organ Builders is privileged to serve as caretakers for this very interesting organ. In 2001 we installed a new solid state relay in the organ. We have made some careful tonal improvements to the instrument, including:
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| 1967 E.F. Walcker Organ | Concordia Theological Seminary | Fort Wayne, Indiana | First stage of restoration of mechanical action organ, including renovation of all wind system components. Photograph |
| 1967 Casavant | Eastern Shore Chapel Episcopal Church | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Complete revoicing and tonal improvements. |
| 1933 Holtkamp | St. Joseph's College | Rensselaer, Indiana | Buzard Pipe Organ Builders is honored to have begun restoration of this historically significant instrument. This organ, constructed in 1933, was the first instrument that Walter Holtkamp built with an exposed Principal chorus. Work included cleaning, console adjustments, tuning, internal improvements to the windchests where they had been altered, and restorative repairs to the pipes of the Great 8' Open Diapason and 4' Octave. Great and Pedal divisions – the carved inscription reads: "Non Impedimus Musicam" (Don't let anything get in the way of the music!), Swell division |
| 1886 Barckhoff | St. James Lutheran Church | Logansport, Indiana | We are delighted to have installed a long-prepared-for 8' Trumpet in the Great of this 1886 Barckhoff organ. The new pipes are exact copies of the only extant original Barckhoff 8' Trumpet, from St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lancaster, PA. The copies were made while the originals were in the hands of our pipemaker for restoration, and the new pipes were voiced side by side with the originals. Photograph |
| 1963 E.F. Holloway Organ | University Lutheran Church | Bloomington, Indiana | In 2004 Buzard Pipe Organ Builders completed a comprehensive rebuilding of this 1963 E.F. Holloway instrument. Work included the following aspects: The console was completely rebuilt, with new keyboards and a new solid state relay and combination action. New electric pull-down slider and pallet windchests were custom built for the manual pipework. New windchests with European-style racking were custom built for the new, custom scaled, built and voiced Great/Pedal 16'/8' Fagott and Great/Pedal 8' Principal. The existing pipework was refurbished, wind pressures were raised slightly, and all pipes were revoiced. In order to improve the instrument's appearance, make room for the new 8' Principal, and provide (for the first time) access for tuning and service, the Pedal division was relocated to a new enclosure at floor level beneath the Great. The finished instrument is warmer in tone, more musically versatile, and much more effective in the room. |
| 1954 Casavant | Trinity Lutheran Church | Bloomington, Illinois | The console of this 1954 Casavant organ was renovated in 2004, including installation of a new solid state multiplex relay and combination action. The electropneumatic expression engines were replaced with new electric action equipment. Four sets of metal pipes that had pierced wooden stopper handles were repaired, and new felted metal caps with exactly matching chimneys, were constructed to improve tuning stability. Photograph prior to renovation |
| 2003 | |||
| Aeolian-Skinner, Opus 1152A | University of Illinois | Urbana, Illinois | This two manual and pedal 7-rank instrument was cleaned and relocated from a practice room at the University of Illinois to the music room of University Laboratory High School in Urbana. |
| 1962 Schlicker | Redeemer Lutheran Church | Fort Wayne, Indiana | The three manual keyboards were removed, cleaned and rebushed, reinstalled and regulated. |
| 1947 Aeolian-Skinner Organ | First Presbyterian Church | Danville, Illinois | The reed stops in the Swell division of this 1947 Aeolian-Skinner organ, a 16' Contra Fagotto, 8' Trompette, 8' Oboe & 4' Clarion) had suffered from neglect and improper handling. These pipes were shipped to Broome & Co., specialists in repairing and revoicing reeds of this style and period. |
| 1969 Schlicker Organ | Texas Lutheran University | Seguin, Texas | This three manual and pedal, 37 stop, 49 rank mechanical action 1969 Schlicker organ is one of only a few instruments by this important post-World War II American organbuilder that has survived relatively unaltered. Buzard Pipe Organ Builders is involved in ongoing restoration of this important organ. In 2003 the original (and unique to Schlicker) vacuum operated slider motor control system failed, leaving the organ unplayable. Diligent research by our staff located matching original components that were available from a Schlicker organ that had been taken out of service. After careful restoration, these components were installed in the organ at Texas Lutheran University, putting the organ back in service. Photograph of Entire Organ, Photograph of Schlicker-designed vacuum-operated slider solenoids, Photograph of Schlicker-designed vacuum pump for slider solenoids |
| 1959 Reuter Organ, Opus 1249 | University Place Christian Church | Champaign, Illinois | A new console was custom built in our factory, delivered to the church and installed for this three manual and pedal, 54-rank organ. New console shell of oak, finished to match other existing furnishings in the chancel, including a locking roll top, lighted music rack, pedal light, and matching adjustable bench with ergonomic back support. New keyboards, with naturals plated in bone and ebony sharps. New key contact system with a single output per note to the solid state relay. New key slips with new piston buttons. New pedalboard, with maple naturals and contrasting hardwood-capped sharps. New toe pistons. New expression and crescendo shoes. New electric action drawknob solenoids for the stops and intra-manual couplers. New electric-action tilting tablet assembly in a new nameboard for the inter-divisional couplers. New console AC control system and DC rectifier. New, custom designed and built solid state combination action, equipped with 32 levels of memory, programmable crescendo and tutti. Photograph |
| 1912 Hook & Hastings, Opus 2304 | Clinton Presbyterian Church | Clinton, Illinois | The organ at Clinton Presbyterian Church was built in 1912 by the Boston, Massachussetts, firm of Hook and Hastings as their Opus 2304. It replaced another, smaller instrument by the same firm, that had been installed in 1887. In the Spring of 2003, Buzard Pipe Organ Builders undertook the first phase of mechanical restoration of the organ. The Great windchest was removed to our factory. It was completely disassembled, flooded with glue to seal leaking joints, reassembled, and tested. Upon completion of factory work, the windchest was reinstalled and adjusted as necessary. Keith Williams, Service Department Director of Buzard Pipe Organ Builders, performed a short organ concert on July 20, 2003 in celebration of the completion of this first phase of work, as part of the church's centennial celebration of its present building. |
| 1925 Skinner Organ, Opus 521 | Wesley United Methodist Church | Urbana, Illinois | The 1925 E.M. Skinner organ in the church (Opus 521) was originally installed in Smith Music Hall on the campus of the University of Illinois. It was relocated to Wesley Church in 1965 when a new Casavant organ was installed. After 40 years of teaching and recital use, and another 40 years of regular service in church, it was determined that the original console mechanisms could not be cost-effectively restored. For more information, click here. |
| 1968 Wicks Organ | St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church | Crystal Lake, Illinois | The parish music director acquired the Moller 2-rank "Chandelier" division that originally had been installed in the Moller factory erecting room. Buzard Pipe Organ Builders was selected to install and connect this unique equipment to the church's 1968 Wicks instrument. This included: installation of necessary additional solid state equipment for the chandelier unit to be made playable from the Wicks console; installation of a drawknob in the Swell division, and a free-standing box with seven tilting table stop controls; preparation of the Möller equipment, including installation of new cabling of sufficient length; installation of the chandelier unit; and tuning and regulation of the pipes once installed. Sanctuary, Chandelier unit, New cable connected to chest magnets, New cable after lacing, Sanctuary, wide view |
| 1978 Schantz Organ | St. Catharine of Siena Catholic Church | Cincinnati, Ohio | The following work was performed on the church's 1978 Schantz organ:
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| 2002 | |||
| Wicks Organ | Grace and Peace Lutheran Church | Peoria, Illinois | A new, custom designed and built solid state relay was installed. The relay was built so that future changes in the specification or layout of the instrument can be easily accommodated. A new, custom designed and build solid state combination action was installed in the console. The pipes of the 16' Fagott were straightened, strengthened and cleaned. The existing electro-pneumatic expression equipment was removed, and a new, electric action expression engine was installed in its place. |
| Wicks Organ, c. 1930s | St. Joseph's Catholic Church | Terre Haute, Indiana | Console rebuilding and repairs. |
| Schantz Organ, c. 1950s | St. Peter's Lutheran Church | Huntington, Indiana | Cleaning and general repairs. |
| 1928/1948 Austin Organ | Kenwood United Methodist Church | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Mechanical restoration of the front organ. Replacement of the console and relay. New chestwork for the Solo. Tonal improvements. Ranks of new pipework were specially constructed, voiced and installed. For more information, click here. |
| 1951 Moller Organ, Opus 8251 | All Saints Episcopal Church | Appleton, Wisconsin | The console was completely rebuilt. A new solid state relay was installed, as well as all new wiring throughout the organ. All reservoirs, winkers, and tremolos were restored. The exposed Great division was replanted on a new electric action slider chest. A new 8' Trumpet was built and installed for the Great division. Photograph 1, Photograph 2, Photograph 3, Photograph 4, Photograph 5, Photograph 6, Photograph 7, Photograph 8 |
| 2001 | |||
| Evangelical United Methodist Church | Mt. Carmel, Illinois | Work included installation of a new 8' Trumpet and windchest; installation of a new 2-2/3' Nazard; and installation of a bottom octave for the 8' Open Diapason. | |
| 1949 Aeolian-Skinner/1982 Moller Opus 1325 | Second Presbyterian Church | Bloomington, Illinois | Releathering of Choir division |
| 1922 Austin Opus 1052 | Trinity Episcopal Church | Michigan City, Indiana | Windchest and reservoir releathering. |
| 1970 Kriisa | First Lutheran Church | Decatur, Illinois | Installation of new solid state relay. This organ is unique in American organbuilding. It is the magnum opus of Harry Kriisa, an Estonian-born organbuilder whose family firm in Taalin (founded in the 19th century) still exists. At the end of World War II, Mr. Kriisa's immigration to the United States was sponsored by the congregation of First Lutheran Church. Mr. Kriisa worked as an organbuilder in central Illinois for the remainder of his life. When the church built a new sanctuary in 1965, Mr. Kriisa constructed his largest instrument for the church, which exists today. |
| 1965 Casavant | University of Illinois | Smith Music Hall, Urbana, Illinois | Installation of new solid state relay and restoration of the pneumatic expression engines. |
| 2000 | |||
| 1947 Aeolian-Skinner Opus 1115 | First Presbyterian Church | Danville, Illinois | Releathering of Swell division |
| 1925 E.M. Skinner Op. 521 | Wesley United Methodist Church | Urbana, Illinois | Windchest restoration following water damage. |
| 1960s Casavant | Larchmont United Methodist Church | Norfolk, Virginia | Complete revoicing and tonal improvements |
| Reuter practice organ | University of Indiana | Bloomington, Indiana | Releathering. |
| 1962 Schlicker | Concordia Theological Seminary | Fort Wayne, Indiana | Complete releathering. Photograph |
| Casavant Opus 3031 | Larchmont United Methodist Church | Norfolk, Virginia | Re-voicing, including replacement of 2 reed stops and adjustment of wind pressure. |
| Earlier Works | |||
| Wicks Organ, c. 1968 | First Baptist Church | Decatur, Illinois | Tonal re-engineering of existing Wicks organ. |
| 1914 Moller Tubular-Pneumatic Organ | The United Methodist Church | Gibson City, Illinois | Replacement of Bar-membrane windchests. |
| Moller, Opus 11601, c. 1983 | First United Methodist Church | Sarasota, Florida | Tonal re-engineering and revoicing of 45-stop Moller organ, electic style with an English accent. |
| Schantz Organ | Wheaton Bible Church | Wheaton, Illinois | New console for existing Schantz organ. |
| Verlinden Electro-pneumatic Organ, c. 1925 | Saint Peter's Lutheran Church | Dwight, Illinois | Rebuilding and enlarged to eight ranks. |
| Schantz Organ | First Presbyterian Church | Normal, Illinois | Reconstruction of Schantz organ, redesign and relocation to new church edifice, Buzard Opus 13-R. |
| Hinners Organ, c. 1926. | St. Mary's Catholic Church | Bloomington, Illinois | Complete rebuild of circa 1926 Hinners organ - 25 stops across two manuals and pedal, restoration of ventil manual windchests, addition of pedal windchests, new pipework, renovate existing console. |
| The United Methodist Church | Creston, Iowa | New mechanical action organ, 11 stops across two manuals and pedal utilizing some mechanical components from former mechanical action organ, November 1990 (Since the mechanical systems were retained from the previous instrument, no Buzard opus number was assigned to this project.) Photo | |
| Holloway Organ, c. 1986 | St. John's Catholic Chapel | Champaign, Illinois | Revoicing, replacement of all reed stops, tonal additions, new façade casework, rebuilding of actions, 45 ranks, three manuals and pedal, electric-slider action. Photo |
| Lyon & Healy Organ, c. 1902 | First Baptist Church | Urbana, Illinois | 18 ranks, two manuals and pedal, mechanical action. Complete restoration of organ including hand pumps, all actions, original pitch, wind pressure and pipework. Photo |
| Hinners Organ, c. 1890 | St. Mary's Catholic ChurchM | Kickapoo, Illinois | Four ranks, one manual and pedal, mechanical action. Action restorations, extend pedal compass, and wind system restoration, including hand pumps. |
| Moller Organ, c. 1914 | The United Methodist Church | Gibson City, Illinois | 14 ranks, two manuals and pedal, tubular-pneumatic action. Tonal revisions, action renovations. Commended by Organ Historical Society, 1986 |
| Casavant, Opus 2840 | University of Illinois School of Music | Urbana, Illinois | 71 ranks, three manuals and pedal. Constructed and installed 32' Untersatz, 32' Kontra Posaune. Installed Voix Humaine 8' in Swell and new windchest actions to split Pedal Mixtur V into two mixtures. Rebuilt all key action primaries. Tonal finishing of entire organ. |
| Aeolian-Skinner Practice Organs, Opus 1152 & 1152-A | University of Illinois School of Music | Urbana, Illinois | Complete revoicing. Rebuilding consoles. |