Organ At McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church
Opus 1908
built by the Holtkamp Organ Company
The beautiful Holtkamp organ at the front of the sanctuary of McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church was built and installed by The Holtkamp Organ Company in 1974.
“We will be placing in our sanctuary a permanent structure, not just an instrument to assist the choirs and further our worship through music but a permanent portion of the architecture of our sanctuary which will glorify God as much when it is silent as when it is played.” — Past Elder Powell M. “Pookie” Leitch, Jr, Chairman of the Organ Committee in recommendation to the Session dated February 24, 1972
The pipe organ underwent a complete restoration during the year 2020. The work performed by Thomas Rohlfs of Rohlfs Pipe Organ Services, LLC from Rocky Mount, Virginia. After 45 years the organ was showing signs of age and the decision was made to restore the organ at a cost of $87, 138.00.
The work included the removal, cleaning, and reinstallation of all 1,075 or the organ pipes in the Great, Swell, and Pedal divisions. The wind system was cleaned, and the organ’s two wind reservoirs were re-leathered. The Tremolo was reconditioned and regulated, The organ’s console was refurbished and a new 10-level CapLite system was installed.
The restoration of the Holtkamp pipe organ at McAllister was a major undertaking, requiring an equally major fundraising effort. The instrument has served decades of Sunday, as well as helped celebrate many happy events and sacred holidays. The organ has also provided solace for may during more somber occasions.
The organ has 17 stops and 1,075 speaking pipes, with the casework in “plain sliced red oak.” It has two manuals and pedals and features a mechanical tracker action. The key action is mechanical with electric stop action.
The stop list for the Holtkamp organ Opus 1908 is as follows:
| PEDAL | GREAT | SWELL |
| Pommer 16′ | Principal 8′ | Gemshorn 8′ |
| Octave 8′ | Gedackt 8′ | Copula 8′ |
| Flute 8′ | Octave 4′ | Rohrflute 4′ |
| Choralbasse 4′ | Waldfloete 2′ | Octave 2′ |
| Fagott 16′ | Mixture IV | Larigot 1 1/3′ |
| Trumpet 8′ | Cromorne 8′ | |
| Tremolo |
The Holtkamp organ at McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church has now been a part of the life of our congregation for what in 2024 will be half a century. Over its history a number of guest and full-time organists have brought voice to this instrument. Some of these musicians include:
Dr. James Leland (at instrument’s dedication)
Karen Williams Chichester
Powell M. Leitch, III
Elizabeth Leitch Dreszer
Sandra Dodd Minter
Arnold Hostetter
Michel Garcia
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Today, Elizabeth Leitch Dreszer is back on the organ bench at McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church. She is pleased to again be a part of the congregation and to be supporting the weekly adult choir practice and Sunday worship service. Our organist was 9 years old at the time the organ was installed and dedicated. Today she is no less enthusiastic about the instrument but, importantly, after many years away she has come to appreciate its quality, craftmanship and excellent tonal range. The selection of stops is beautifully integrated.
To see more photos of the restoration of the organ
click on the link below: