Schneider Pipe Organs initial contact with this project began by providing a work crew to assist in removing the 1914/1947/1972 III/38 Möller organ that was to be comprehensively renovated by another builder. The tonal design and layout concept were by that builder, who also began initial construction and installation work. When that other builder was unable to finish out his contract, Schneider Pipe Organs, as a guarantor on the contract was called in to evaluate the completed work and completed the construction and installation after the original builder defaulted and went out of business.

Unfortunately, some aspects of the original builder's work proved to be less than satisfactory and had to be either discarded or extensively re-manufactured; requiring the completion date to be extended in order to allow this re-work to be completed properly.

Our shop also provided sub-contract re-voicing work for the other builder prior to his default on the project, including the "conversion" of a 16' Wood Open Diapason to a 32' Contra Bourdon, as well as re-voicing selected ranks of pipework.

It became apparent that a more comprehensive tonal re-vamping of the instrument would be required in order for the completed project to be tonally satisfactory, so part of our completion process has included comprehensive re-voicing of many of the ranks of pipework; particularly the Principal Choruses, the Mixtures, mutations and selected Flute stops. The existing reeds were retained as found, except for any cleaning and repairs that were needed.

The original installation from 1914 (the building dates from 1911) had the majority of the instrument behind the choir (shown in the photograph below). The 1947 re-construction enlarged the instrument from two to three manuals by placing the Swell Division behind the Choir, the Great on the North elevated level and the Choir Division in the Ceiling(!!) above the Rostrum area.

Not to worry: The roof is supported with extensive steel railroad bridgework and nothing short of the end of the World would bring anything down from that lofty location!

The current re-construction has abandoned that location in favor of a newly-created "mirror image" Chamber directly across from what used to be the Great Chamber. The Swell and Great Chambers have now exchanged locations to more logically put the Great Division on-axis with the room to more clearly project sound directly into the room. Additionally, being the largest chamber of the three spaces, the largest pipes of the Pedal organ are also located here.

Here is a photo of the Choir Loft from the rear gallery. This was a rehearsal with the Mennonite Choral Society for the 2001 annual performance of the entire Handel Messiah. This group of 150 voices, comprised of members from many different faith communities throughout the area, plus paid professional soloists, has performed the entire work annually during the Christmas season for nearly 100 years!

In this photo, the pipe organ console is shown on the left with the church Organist, Dr. Scott Lehman seated. The console at the right was the Rodgers electronic which was purchased by the church as an interim instrument while the pipe organ was being re-built. It has now been subsequently removed and is in the Chapel, replacing a much older electronic.

Ideally, an organ should have visual appeal as well as sonic rewards, but the conservative tradition of this particular denomination and more specifically, this congregation precluded any possibility of inclusion of any exposed pipework in the design scheme.

The new Choir Chamber is behind the "Peace on Earth" Banner (on the left in the picture), while the Swell (formerly Great) is behind the "Goodwill to men" Banner (on the right). The Great (formerly Swell) is behind the "Prince of Peace" Dove Banner (which is actually hanging in the middle of the room!).

During the summer of 2002, Berne Indiana celebrated their 150th anniversary.  Schneider Pipe Organs was on-hand to ensure the organ functioned perfectly during the event.  Prior to the event, the organbuilder, assisted by his wife (who serves as noteholder) made many of the final Voicing adjustments to the instrument, followed by a complete tuning of the instrument.

Click for reports from visitors to the organ.

Click for Audio of recitals during Q4 of 2005

Click for Video and Audio from a recent recital.

Here are two additional pictures of the outside of the church:

Workers on this project included the following individuals:

W.C. Burkett: Pipework repairs, re-building, cleaning, polishing & fitting new Tuning Slides; general shop work assistance; Sky Rack fabrication and assembly; wind line & general installation & troubleshooting work.

The builder wishes to take the opportunity of these credits to expressly and gratefully acknowledge and applaud the dedication and perseverance of Mr. Burkett during the many long and aggravating hours that were spent on-site during the installation of this instrument.  It would be a fair assessment to state that were it not for his heroic efforts and untiring dedication to the task at hand, this instrument would probably not have ever been completed!

Jason Burkett: Woodworking, general fabrication, wood pipe re-finishing; installation.

Mike Gettelman: installation.

Nicholas Fry: Shop wiring.

Dan Schneider: Console interior woodworking, Drawknob Bolster & Nameboard fabrication and final assembly; windchest fabrication and assembly & troubleshooting.

Joan Schneider: Office & Fiscal Management, Bookkeeping; "Chief cook and dish washer" during onsite installation, gallons of Coffee provider; onsite/shop wood pipe painting; Tonal Finishing "ears" & tuning assistant; reality checker.

Matt Schneider: Console interior staining and finishing operations; windchest fabrication, finishing, wiring and final assembly.

Richard Schneider, PRES/CEO: Administration; materials procurement; CADD layout and installation engineering; on-site console installation and wiring; shop pipework re-building & re-voicing; general installation work; Tonal Finishing, Tuning, Troubleshooting & overall shop/field Project oversight/supervision.

Ron Whitney: Shop assistance & installation.

The church's Principal Organist, Dr. Scott Lehman, also provided invaluable input during the installation and Tonal Finishing process by providing his feedback to how the stops were shaping-up during Tonal Finishing.

The builder also wishes to gratefully and appreciatively acknowledge Marybeth Huser, Minister of Music at First Mennonite for giving up a large portion of her Choir Practice Room throughout the duration of the installation process with the storage of tool and supply tubs and the many components necessary and incidental to the installation of the instrument.

A truly unsung hero throughout the entire installation process was the church's custodian, Kendall Lehman. He was the person who always had a smile and cheerful greeting for us no matter how big the mess in his shop would become from our on-site modifications of things that wouldn't fit right.  This is a place to be feared: the builder and his workers have concluded that the next Space Shuttle could easily be fabricated in this enviable work-space!  There were many times that extra cleaning at the last minute before a Sunday service would be required and never was a complaint heard.

Given the somewhat difficult circumstances surrounding a project taken over due to a default from the original contractor, it was most gratefully appreciated by the builder and his workers those individuals (and you know who you are!) who went out of their way to show kindness and hospitality to us by doing such "Random Acts of Kindness", such as appearing unannounced with homemade Strawberry Pie during one of the many late-evening work sessions; availed themselves to be "sounding boards" during difficult moments and in general, did whatever was necessary to ensure that this project turned out to be the highest and best work of its kind possible to the Praise, Honor and Glory of Almighty God.

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

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© 2002, Schneider Pipe Organs, Inc.