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2123 Forest Ave.
Great Bend,
Kansas 67530
(620) 792-2148
Sunday Worship:
8:30 & 10:30 AM
Sunday School:
9:30 AM
Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday
8:00 AM - 12 Noon
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 12 Noon
Ministries Overview
Children
Youth
Adults
UMWomen
Music
*Chancel Choir
*Austin Organ
Austin Organ
Opus 1190 3/25
The Austin Organ of First United Methodist Church is the third largest and oldest instrument of its kind in the State of Kansas. This splendid instrument was installed in the handsome new church at a cost of $12,000 in 1926. After more than 80 years of service, its value exceeds $300,000 and remains one of the finest organs in all this part of the country.
In the early years First Church was fortunate to have several talented musicians in the congregation. They were instrumental in planning our organ, along with George J. Sabol, Western Representative of the Austin Organ Company 
of Harford, Connecticut. After months of consultation and exploring the availability of the necessary finances, a contract was signed and the organ installed in 1926.
Mr. Sabol, in speaking of the instrument, and to give Great Bend people an idea of its mechanism, said it contained 1223 pipes ranging in length from 16 feet long to the size of a pencil; the largest pipe weighs 275 pounds. There are 20,000 feet of wire used in connecting the keyboard with the organ which contains a set of 25 tubular chimes that are playable from the keyboard. It has an unusual set of orchestral reeds capable of imitating the clarinet, oboe, tuba, horn, vox humana, and the console or keyboard is moveable, connected with a flexible cable. The entire organ is enclosed in a soundproof swell box giving the organist full control of expression. Almost any effect can be obtained. The wind supply is made by a 3 horsepower centrifugal fan.
The Austin Organ was presented to the Methodist Church in Great Bend September of 1926 to be dedicated to the worship and service of God. It was to be used for the 'making of sacred music and public worship.' The organ was dedicated to 'rest weary bodies and cheer discouraged hearts, to lift sin-burdened souls toward God, to comfort them that mourn, to peal the happy wedding march, to inspire the Christian soldier, to send forth the divine note of peace on earth, good will toward men.' |