St. Francis of Assisi's new organ to ring out blessings Oct. 31

By Christine Bordelon
Clarion Herald

St. Francis of Assisi Church on State Street has finally realized its capital-campaign dream – to install a new Cornel Zimmer organ. 

The COVID-19 pandemic might have delayed its installation by seven or so months, but it was worth the wait. The new organ will be blessed at all Masses Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.

“The organ builders did a spectacular job of matching the organ case to the church,” said Stan Ellington, who with wife Cindy led the capital parish’s campaign to replace the 50-year-old organ. “It looks like it was originally part of the church. It looks beautiful … and the sound is absolutely spectacular.

Ellington, an active parishioner since 1980, said the fundraising effort was successful because it was widespread –  contributions came from 173 different donors, 97% of whom were parishioners.

“We actually ended up raising $746,000 – more than we originally set out to raise,” Ellington said. “We are very pleased and happy about it. It allowed our parishioners to participate and feel a part of.”

A wooden plaque to acknowledge donors has been installed at the church’s entrance.

Replaces a 50-year-old organ
Father Michael Schneller, pastor, said it was Dr. Thomas Wright, the church’s liturgical music director and organist since 2008, who called his attention to the condition of the former organ.

“He planted the seed for what is now coming to bear fruit,” Father Schneller said.

The parish used organ consultant Keith Shafer to do a cost-benefit analysis to see if it would be more fiscally responsible to repair the old organ or buy something new.

Wright said he conducted extensive interviews with parishioners and determined that it made more sense to do a hybrid organ, using some pipes from the existing organ and combining it with the latest, digital pipe organ technology.   

“He said it would be a cost savings in the long run if we built a new one,” Wright said. “We could get more variety. One thing the original organ lacked was the total palette ... with more variability between soft and loud pipes.” 

Wright tested the Opus organ at the Cornel Zimmer facility in North Carolina and visited Summerall Chapel at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, and the cathedral in Lafayette, Louisiana, where Cornel Zimmer had installed similar organs.

“It is difficult to tell the difference between a pipe sound and a digital sound,” Dr. Wright said. 

The old organ, being just a pipe organ, had its limitations, Wright said. With chambers in the rear of the church, its sound was delayed reaching the cantor at the altar. The new organ, Wright said, will have four manuals (instead of two), one main chamber and speakers behind the main altar and in the back of church for a better-balanced sound.

“Hopefully it will have a warmer sound because it will have more stops,” Wright said. “The old organ was a little rough around the edges. It wasn’t smooth. This will spread the sound around.”

Not only is the sound enhanced, but Cornel Zimmer Organ Builders built a beautiful white oak case, console and facade stained to match the Gothic Revival style of the church’s interior. Visible zinc pipes are adorned with gold leaf mounts. 

“We designed it based on the elements in the church already and did a lot of gold leafing,” said Aaron Pannebaker, vice president of Cornel Zimmer. “Is supposed to look like it’s been here.”

A team of six drove from company headquarters in North Carolina with two, 24-foot trucks and a personal truck/trailer to transport the organ to Uptown. They spent two weeks on the physical installation of the organ. Two other technicians conducted the pipe voicing for the organ’s optimal sound.  

Enhances worship
Wright said the St. Francis of Assisi congregation loves to sing, and he hopes the new organ’s sound will inspire more singing. 

“Our parish likes good music and likes to participate, and they have great voices,” Wright said. “It will provide more versatility and music that the choir can do.”

Wright will play the new organ at All Saints’ Day Masses. Tours of the console, pipework and wood cabinetry in the choir loft will be offered for an up-close view. 

“I think it enhances worship in a couple of different ways,” Ellington said. “I think the sound of the organ music, the richness and soothing effect will help some people – it certainly helps me – focus on being in a house of worship.

“When you have the organ accompaniment and the broad spectrum of sound that this organ makes, it will encourage people to sing and participate in hymns. … It will help people tune out other things and worries to focus on the eucharistic celebration. It sets the tone and mood and helps enrich the service.”

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