Built for the previous church building, this organ was moved in 1903 to St. Mary’s new edifice, a substantial brick structure in neo-Gothic style that retains its original altars, confessionals and other furnishings. An attached console fitted with tubular-pneumatic action controls membrane chests, patented by Schuelke in 1895. An inscription found in one of the windchests reads, “Olaf Peterson Organ Builder Milwaukee, Wis. 1896 Sep.”

We have restored the instrument with no mechanical or tonal changes. Windchests were releathered, the stoppers of wooden pipes regasketed, the metal pipes washed and carefully re-regulated to return errant pipes to original speech and strength. The present supply house regulators, which displaced the original bellows years ago, have been retained for reasons of cost.

The new white leather membranes can be seen here in the restored Swell windchest.

John Panning has posted additional photos on Facebook.