Allen Organ Apex
We’ve Reached Our Goal!
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.
Psalm 107:1
The Worship Committee is pleased to announce that the congregation met its goal to raise $92,000 for the new organ! We extend our gratitude and thanks to the members and friends of Mt. Olive Lutheran who supported the fundraising campaign but also recognizing that these amazing gifts and acts of generosity come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The committee will continue to keep the congregation informed of the progress of the instrument as it is being built in Pennsylvania and eventually shipped to the church for installation.
In the meantime, check out this video posted by Allen Organ that shows all that is involved in the building of a new organ.
The Allen Organ Apex model GX336DK is a 52-stop three manual instrument designed with 9 specifications: 6 cohesive Classical Organs – Classic Allen, English (Willis), Cavaille-Coll, Schlicker, Arp Schnitger, Aeolian-Skinner, and 3 Theatre Organs -Wurlitzer, Morton, and Barton. These nine specifications would provide tonal colors for most any literature. It is compatible with the church’s sound system.
Allen Organs have a 10-year limited warranty. Allen Organ of the Western Carolinas provides all transportation, delivery and installation.
Allen Organs are made in Macungie, PA, USA. The factory manufactures military grade computer boards, commercial class A or AB amplifiers, fine furniture hardwood cabinets with finished exteriors and interiors, and all the hardware that goes into these organs. There are no “off the shelf “parts in an Allen. Allen Organ also maintains an extensive inventory of parts for long-term support of organs in use today. Allen Organ has been under the same ownership since its inception in 1939.
Allen Organ does not build the instrument until it is ordered.
Background
Over the summer of 2024, our current instrument underwent an assessment by the dealer who services the organ. At 25 years old, it has exceeded its useful life. It is a discontinued model for which spare parts are no longer available. In addition, this particular model limits the abilities of our organist and choir director (its size and options are undersized for our congregation). As a result, the Worship Committee felt it was necessary to begin researching what options the congregation had when it came time for replacement – type of organ, cost, etc. We felt it was critical to get ahead with the information gathering process as opposed to being reactionary. After speaking with the American Guild of Organists, various dealers on-site, as well as visits to other churches, the Committee began to develop specs for a new organ
Original quote for Mt. Olive Lutheran: $107,400
If purchased before July 2025, save 15%: $92,000
In January 2025, the Church Council approved to create a designated Organ Fund to allow for direct contributions or memorials to be made. And while this congregation has been richly blessed with a healthy balance of revenue and expenses, the significant costs associated with the purchase of a new organ could not be supported by the church’s budget alone. The purchase of a new organ was approved at a Voter’s Meeting.
