The beautiful organ at Emmanuel has a rich and unique history.
In September, 1988, during Emmanuel's Jubilee campaign to update and restore the church, the vestry agreed to the purchase and installation of a 33-stop, 39-rank organ. The Schlicker Organ Company of Buffalo, New York was selected to build this magnificent instrument. It was described in the contract as "a two-manual and pedal organ in a hardwood case...designed for congregational singing and choral accompaniment...located on the side of the church projecting out from the wall in order to disperse sound evenly to the choir and congregation."
It was agreed that the new pipe organ would be delivered and installed by August, 1991, in time to allow for a series of recitals by distinguished organists during Emmanuel's Jubilee Year. However, the organ company's near bankruptcy put the completion of an organ for Emmanuel in serious question. To insure that the work already underway would continue, Emmanuel placed its trust in the workers of the company and advanced money beyond the stipulations of the contract.
Once a month the Rector, Father Alan Herbst and Organist, Steven Schneider, made trips to the organ company to inspect the work in progress. The result was a successful one. The Schlicker Company remained solvent under new management, and the organ was completed. The craftsmen who worked to complete the organ sent a congratulatory, individually signed card in October 1991, with the inscription: "Without Emmanuel Church's faith in and willingness to continue with the Schlicker firm, we would all be out of work." Because of that "faith," they concluded, "we will pay particular attention to your instrument."
The organ installers arrived in May, 1992. The instrument was brought in its many parts to Champaign, unloaded from a van by willing parishioners, and put in place. The completion date was August 14, 1992. In 2017, the organ celebrated its 25th anniversary.
In September, 1988, during Emmanuel's Jubilee campaign to update and restore the church, the vestry agreed to the purchase and installation of a 33-stop, 39-rank organ. The Schlicker Organ Company of Buffalo, New York was selected to build this magnificent instrument. It was described in the contract as "a two-manual and pedal organ in a hardwood case...designed for congregational singing and choral accompaniment...located on the side of the church projecting out from the wall in order to disperse sound evenly to the choir and congregation."
It was agreed that the new pipe organ would be delivered and installed by August, 1991, in time to allow for a series of recitals by distinguished organists during Emmanuel's Jubilee Year. However, the organ company's near bankruptcy put the completion of an organ for Emmanuel in serious question. To insure that the work already underway would continue, Emmanuel placed its trust in the workers of the company and advanced money beyond the stipulations of the contract.
Once a month the Rector, Father Alan Herbst and Organist, Steven Schneider, made trips to the organ company to inspect the work in progress. The result was a successful one. The Schlicker Company remained solvent under new management, and the organ was completed. The craftsmen who worked to complete the organ sent a congratulatory, individually signed card in October 1991, with the inscription: "Without Emmanuel Church's faith in and willingness to continue with the Schlicker firm, we would all be out of work." Because of that "faith," they concluded, "we will pay particular attention to your instrument."
The organ installers arrived in May, 1992. The instrument was brought in its many parts to Champaign, unloaded from a van by willing parishioners, and put in place. The completion date was August 14, 1992. In 2017, the organ celebrated its 25th anniversary.