The Felgemaker Organ History
When the first Sacred Heart Church burned to the ground, its first
organ was lost, too, so the selection of a new organ was part of the
planning for the new cathedral. Bishop McGolrick's journal indicates
that originally an organ was to be installed in the choir loft of
the east transept, with the pipes standing alongside the stained glass
window there. During the next two years, however, the bishop changed
his mind about the location as well as the builder of the new organ.
27th Sept. '97... Made agreement with A.B. Felgemak(r), Erie,
Pa. --- to put up an organ (No. 12) in catalogue for $3,000 ---- $2,000
cash and the balance 3 months after accepting organ.
July '98 ... The organ came and organ builder set to work on
gallery near the door. The organ takes up much of the gallery and
appears to be very fine. The water motor to cost a large sum, so we
try hand power for awhile.
In 1960, Milwaukee organ technician Norbert Berschdorf made major
repairs to the Felgemaker. The entire instrument was taken to a room
in the Grade School where it was completely overhauled. All pipes
were cleaned, and deteriorated parts were replaced; new tuning rings
were installed on all metal pipes up to 4'; and the whole organ was
regulated and tuned.
Again in 1979 the organ was partially disassembled, cleaned, repaired,
reassembled and tuned by Mr. Berschdorf, thanks to the generosity
of Mrs. Morris J. Opsahl who donated $6,000 for the work.
Dr. Jean Swanson, a local organist and educator, documented the quality
and significance of the Sacred Heart Felgemaker organ in the Spring
1981 issue of The Tracker (journal of the National Organ Historical
Society).
Extant old organs are not numerous in northeastern Minnesota.
Of the few which remain in the Twin Ports area, the one at Sacred
Heart... is the best known... [Dr.] Kim Kasling [of St. John's University,
Collegeville, Minnesota], in his "Survey of Some Extant Minnesota
Organs," considers it "by far the most impressive old organ
in the entire state."
The organ, Felgemaker Opus 664, remains almost unchanged in the
back gallery where it was installed years ago. Needed alterations
have been largely mechanical and have not affected the tonal qualities
of the organ. The sforzando pedal was disconnected [in 1936]
to provide needed space behind the pipe facade. A slightly concave
pedal board has replaced the original straight one. Although the "bellows
signal" drawknob remains on the console, the hand pump, long
since removed and lost, has been replaced by an electric motor. The
organ is in good playing condition except for occasional tuning problems
in the Oboe and Bassoon rank.
A two-manual 26-rank organ with 1,493 pipes, the Sacred Heart
organ is among the last trackers built by Felgemaker. It is one of
the few surviving organs with Barker levers which facilitate playing
when the manuals are coupled.
Another somewhat unusual feature is the trumpet rank with its
nickel plated shallots designed to keep reeds free of dust and other
foreign materials. The overall tonal quality is greatly enhanced by
the excellent acoustics of the building, as well as by its placement
in the back balcony.
Charles Henderson, a noted Minnesota organ builder, described the
tonal qualities of the Sacred Heart organ in his Survey of Old
Pipe Organs:
The Felgemaker organ in Sacred Heart... is not particularly old,
by European standards, but it is certainly the largest old organ indigenous
to the state... The value of this instrument is in its tonality. It
is an ear opening instrument of a sound that is not expected in this
era of organ building. The sound is large and reveberant in this marvelous
building. Few organs in Minnesota, old or new, can produce such a
sound...
Dr. Jesse Eschbach has this to say about the Felgemaker organ:
