History of the Organ

In the early 1960’s, First Baptist Church of Hapeville embarked on a building program to construct a new sanctuary.  In conjunction with the effort, a Music Committee of the Building Program was formed to research and recommend a new organ for the new sanctuary.  The committee was comprised of Mrs. Virginia Weigle (chair), Mrs. Bessie Benefield, Mrs. Nan Burnett, Mr. I. L. Ellis, Mrs. Margaret Pharr, Mrs. Hildreth Rast, Mr. Tom Thrailkill, and Mr. James Watkins.  Albert J. Skinner was Minister of Music and served as an ex-officio member of the committee. Bob Hite was pastor of the church at the time.

An organ fund had been established years before, but there was some indecision about whether an electronic organ or a pipe organ would be more suitable.  The committee carefully and prayerfully considered both types; the members visited churches in Georgia as well as some that were out of state. They collected reports and interviewed individuals who had first-hand experience and knowledge of both types of instruments.  Tonal quality, cost, expected length of service, and maintenance were important considerations.

At the time, a new electronic organ would have cost $20,000 but only had a life expectancy of fifteen to twenty years.  The cost to replace an electronic organ would have been considerably more than $20,000 fifteen to twenty years later. The committee learned that the church would expect good service without major repairs from a pipe organ for 50 years or longer.  Leather components used in the mechanics of the organ would need to be replaced at some point, depending on climatic conditions in the pipe chambers. The committee, therefore, concluded that a pipe organ would not only be more cost effective in the long-term, but would also provide the quality of sound the church desired for meaningful worship.

Two pipe organ manufacturers were considered.  Both have excellent workmanship and tonal quality.  The Schantz Organ Company of Orrville, Ohio, wished to become more established in the Atlanta area and made an offer to the church for a 28-rank pipe organ with a 3-manual console and pedalboard at a purchase price of $36, 700.  On November 11, 1962, the Music Committee of the Building Program recommended that the church proceed with the necessary arrangements to purchase the Schantz Organ. The recommendation passed. Widener and Company, Inc of Atlanta, Georgia, local representatives of the Schantz Organ Company, was engaged to work with the architect to design appropriate location and space for the organ chambers and to select acoustical materials that would enhance the quality of sound.  Widener and Company also handled the tonal specifications of the organ and its installation in 1966. Widener and Company continues to serve as the organ’s curator.

The organ was dedicated on October 23, 1966, at an afternoon recital played by William Weaver, Organist at St. Anne Episcopal Church in Atlanta, Georgia.  Dr. William J. Lacy was Pastor, Herschel Spivey was Minister of Music, and A.M. Ozburn was Church Organist at the time.

In November 2005, a hardware cloth grill, designed by the Arthur Schlueter Pipe Organ Company, of Lithonia, Georgia, was installed to protect the organ from recurring damage by squirrels.  The cost of this beautiful, as well as functional, addition was $18,780. In 2013, generous gifts from members, friends of the church, and Chick-fil-a, Inc. provided funds for the much-needed rebuild and upgrade of the 47-year-old console.  In April 2013, the console was removed from the church and transported to the Schantz Organ Company workshop in Orrville, Ohio, where the electro-pneumatic controls were replaced with solid state digital technology. Two new ranks were added – 4’ Flute (61 pipes) for the Great division and 16’ Basson – Hautbois (73 pipes) for the Swell division.  Total cost of the upgrade and rebuild work was $117,112. The rebuilt organ has 30 ranks with 1,803 pipes. It was re-dedicated on October 20, 2013 during a concert played by Sue Goddard, renowned Atlanta organist. Members of the congregation as well as guest and visitors have been blessed with the beauty of this fine instrument for many years and will continue to enjoy its contribution to the worship experience for generation to come.