The Otterbein organ was
installed in 1897 and is probably the last organ Henry Niemann built. His
oldest son, Frank, was most likely responsible for a large part of
the instrument, because Henry died two years later in 1899.
The original cost of the instrument, a memorial gift of Mr. and Mrs.
Carl Greasley, longtime members of the church, by their family, was
$1,500.00. Mr. Greasley died in 1894 before the extensive
renovation in 1896, but his widow presented the chandelier and the
pews to the church at that time. After her death in April
1897, the family presented the organ in memory of both
parents.
The Otterbein organ has 13
stops and 15 ranks. For each note in a rank there is one
pipe. The cornet on the upper manual has three pipes for each
note. In total, there are 842 speaking pipes made of pine,
zinc, lead and brass.
The large pipes in the middle
of the facade are speaking pipes. The pipes in the flats on
each side are dummies. The case is all solid white oak, with
the front of the case being all quarter-sawn oak. The organ is
known among the Niemann organs for its bold, bright sound, excellent
for hymn singing. "Notes from the Centennial Concert program
at Old Otterbein Church on October 19, 1997."
Restoration of the nearly
100-year old Otterbein organ, began in February 1990, when it was
announced in a letter to Members and Friends of Old Otterbein, that
a campaign would begin, to solicit funds to restore the organ in
time for its 100th anniversary in 1997.
With gifts of $60,000.00 from
friends and members, wedding fees and peanut sales to Orioles fans,
the organ was restored by David M.
Storey. The organ was removed from the church to Mr.
Storey's Woodberry shop, a former textile mill, on January 11, 1994
and returned and rededicated on Sunday, December 11, 1994.
Otterbein organist, John Holland played Arthur Sullivan's "The Lost
Chord".
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