The Organ at St. Thomas Lutheran Church

Our New Organ: Witness to the Faith

Performances

• Audio Clips
• Dedication Recital Program

Information

• Photos
• A Brief History
• From the Builder
• Specifications
• Key Personnel
• Memorials
• Bloomington Herald-Times Article [subscription required]

St. Thomas Lutheran Church Home Page

Our New Organ: Witness to the Faith

The words evangelical and catholic--both of them, interacting--are often used to describe the Lutheran contribution to the ecumenical chorus. And now the sanctuary of St. Thomas Church holds an instrument that--in physical composition as well as use--bears witness to our distinctive way of being Christian. The layered diversity of its thousands of parts are brought into a unity of sound by the inspirited talent of the one presiding at the console. The resultant sound is a music of praise, sometimes assisting and undergirding the faith-song of the people, sometimes declaring on their behalf the Gospel of Grace.

The architecture and construction of the organ is intentionally catholic--symbol of the length, breadth and inclusivity of Christ's Church. The origins of the pipe organ predate the Christian Era, but technological development over centuries has replaced hydraulics with pneumatics; electronics have eased the musician's task of connecting rank to rank and pipe to pipe by sheer physical energy. Our new organ also captures the spirit of today and tomorrow as it is prepared even to accept commands from a connected computerized source.

Technically four separate instruments joined at the console, the diversity of the St. Thomas organ does not stop there. Of its 1,700 pipes some are of wood, some of zinc, and some of blended tin and lead. The range of their size is from pencil-like to the length of a living room. Together they may speak with a still, small voice, or that of a rushing, mighty wind. As the members of Christ's Church, individual ranks of pipework speak out of their own "personalities" and life-situations. Some, like the Nazard, make a hardened raspy sound; others are as gentle as flutes or as lilting as violins; and the giggles of happy children are brought to mind by the tinkling bells of the Zimbelstern. All of life's variety is brought together in one harmonious response to God's encompassing providence.

From "Lord, have mercy" to "This is the feast of victory," the organ witnesses to the real experiences of the Christian life. Recycled organ parts, some going back over seventy years, honor the Creator by preserving what has been created for generations yet to come. Surely this is no "mere musical instrument" that graces our sanctuary; its very character bears witness to the wider community and moves the hearers to celebrate all that is theirs because of Jesus Christ.

    SOLI DEO GLORIA!

Walter F. Johnson
..Pastor, St. Thomas, 1984-95

Updated 09/01/06 , Eric Isaacson