Watch the arrival of the custom-designed Allen Organ Console at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.

The custom-designed Allen Organ Console has arrived at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.

This incredible new instrument, built with precision and care, is now in our sanctuary and undergoing the final stages of installation. Over the next few weeks, technicians will connect the state-of-the-art console to our historic pipes, ensuring the perfect harmony of tradition and innovation. This milestone is a testament to the dedication of our parish community and the many generous contributions that have brought us closer to our fundraising goal.

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival this fall of the custom-designed Allen Organ Console!

This current photo above shows the organ in the final stages of construction at the factory in Macungie, PA. Technicians will be at St. John over the next few weeks to continue upgrades, and to provide up-to-date connections for the new to the current pipes. The new 3 manual state-of-the art instrument is expected to be delivered in October. As we draw closer to our delivery date, your continued generous contributions are greatly appreciated in our important stewardship of this magnificent instrument. 

New console is scheduled for completion and delivery in October!

Current contributions to date total $195,000–only $95,000 remains to be raised. Organ will be fully installed and operational for the Advent-Christmas Season!

For almost 200 years, the historic pipe organ in the back organ loft at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church has accompanied the worship of parishioners. It has led the faithful in our songs of praise and exaltation and it has accompanied us musically in our times of grief and provided comfort in our solemn occasions. Its glorious, majestic tones have accompanied brides down the aisle in our nuptial masses, and its quiet, dulcet tones have provided solace as we say goodbye to our faithful departed in our funeral masses. It has provided a foundation for robust congregational singing, it has played recitals, it has accompanied choirs of all ages, and it is many times in use on a daily basis.

Throughout the years, the parishioners of St. John’s have always been faithful stewards in maintaining this magnificent instrument. Recently, work has been done on the pipes to alleviate mold and mildew, a quite common occurrence in wooden pipes that live in an older building. The organ pipes (there are close to 1200 pipes in total) are individually tuned 4 times a year when the seasons change to account for differences in pitch that occur with changes in temperature and humidity. An instrument of this type, like those found in large European Cathedrals, will last hundreds of years, if properly maintained and cared for. It is our hope that through our faithful stewardship of this mighty instrument at this time, it too, will last for hundreds of years to come! The new “state of the art” console will ensure that the organ is sounding at its finest, and will compliment the current instrument with a festival trumpet, chimes, and other specifically selected digital voices necessary for the accompaniment of the mass and other liturgical celebrations.

The new console will be connected to the existing pipe work, we’re not getting rid of any of the historic parts of the pipes on the instrument. In June, we continued with the cleaning of pipes and with electrical wiring and technological upgrades. All of the historic pipes will remain and continue to accompany the sung liturgical celebrations of this parish for the next 200 years! It is a joy and an honor to work on this monumental project! I am grateful for Fr. John Williamson’s support and to you, the parishioners of St. John’s for your vital interest and support of this restoration project, and extend my thanks and utmost appreciation for your continued financial gifts to make this possible!

With a grateful heart!

Nae Pearson