Reports to the Congregation

September 2008

November 2007

Following is the Report given to the congregation to inform its vote on November 18, 2007.  You can also download the report in PDF format (4 pages).

Our pipe organ needs serious help! Research began in May 2006 on the best solution to its deteriorating condition. In early 2007 an Organ Committee was formed: Eldon Turner, Janet Weber, Susan Tapia, Pastor Dan Hooper, Ray Huff, Phyllis Lundine, Marie Sorensen and Ron Jahn.

History. The 6-rank pipe organ was acquired used in the late ‘20s or early ‘30s from the Warner Bros. Theater in Hollywood. It was designed for background music in silent movies, not for church music.

Present Condition is poor. Our technicians and tuners identified needed repairs that will cost thousands of dollars in any case.

  • "Dead" or cyphering notes (won’t shut off) because old valves have failed.
  • Expression shutters work inconsistently and need repair.
  • Air leaks everywhere!  Wind chests are held together with duct tape.
  • Frequently out of tune because of temperature swings in the present organ chamber
  • Limited and inappropriate sound due to its theater organ history
  • Console lacks many standard switches and features.

The Organ Committee met with several consultants and organ builders. We considered many options (do nothing; abandon the organ if it dies; make minimal repairs; replace with electronic instrument; refurbish/restore and enhance pipe organ). We also followed up on leads with other churches that are replacing instruments, going out of business, selling their pipe organ, or scaling back.

Specifically, we went to First Methodist in Sylmar, Chinese Life Lutheran in Alhambra, Full Grace (formerly Bethany Lutheran) in Hollywood. We investigated other instruments, or sets of pipework, for sale.  The Committee has reported frequently to the Church Council.

Conclusions:

Following up on leads that another church was selling its entire pipe organ (to replace it with a $700,000 instrument), the Church Council accepted the Organ Committee’s recommendation to purchase the 22-rank Reuter pipe organ from Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Beverly Hills.

Built in 1968 and enlarged in 1993, it is being replaced because it is improperly placed in the sanctuary and too small for a church that seats 500+ people.

Our best estimate is that it will cost around $80,000 to dismantle, move and reconstruct the 22-rank Reuter organ, integrating it with pipework from our 6-rank Landon/Wurlitzer.

The resulting instrument would be 28 ranks or more (if a few additional parts are installed to balance the sound quality).

To hold this larger instrument, a second organ chamber is needed.

First Design Concept:

Below, on the Sanctuary’s front (west) wall, the grill at left has nothing behind it. The present pipe organ is behind the grill at right. The Design Concept is to create a second chamber on the left side.

On the exterior, the existing chamber is at left (north side of Altar apse) in the photos below. There is no existing room on the right (south side of apse). The white star ☆indicates location of the proposed chamber above the Sacristy.

In September, our Council decided to purchase this instrument. It becomes available to us in May 2008. The Treasurer has opened an Organ Fund to raise money. Over $4,000 of the needed $5,000 has already been received.

Time Table Elements (times are approximate):

December 2007Chamber DesignConsult with architect; prepare blueprints of structural addition over Sacristy; includes engineering, electrical plans
December 2007Organ ProposalSolicit, receive, evaluate proposal(s) for pipe organ refurbishment and redesign; finalize and approve proposal
January 2008L.A. DBS Permit and "Plan Check"Submit blueprints to L.A. Department of Building and Safety for "plan check" (up to 14 weeks): resulting in building permit
April 2008Chamber Construction Begin construction of chamber outer shell
late May 2008Organ DisassemblyOrgan builder and church volunteers would take apart pipe organ and remove from Good Shepherd, Beverly Hills; transport it to HLC
June 2008Storage PhasePipes, parts and console would be stored at HLC until chamber is complete
 "Breakthrough"When chamber is complete, Sanctuary wall will be opened up and finished to complement design
November 2008Organ Repair and Reconstruction beginsOrgan would be reconstructed, installed and integrated with those parts of existing pipe organ that will be kept.
June/ August 2009Reconstruction CompletedWork could take 6-10 months before completion and rededication

Cost and Financing:

We have spoken with two different contractors regarding the build-out of a new organ chamber, and have received informal advice and “ball park” figures.
We have a preliminary Proposal from a local organ builder, Mr. Weston Harris, who has built instruments for other churches using the same refurbishing/ enhancing strategy. The Organ Committee has visited and listened to pipe organs built by Mr. Harris:

  • St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Santa Monica (39 ranks)
  • St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Hollywood (73 ranks)
  • West Hollywood Presbyterian Church (11 ranks)

 The following figures provide perspective on cost:

Typical cost of new pipe organs, per rank$ 20,000.00
Cost of used 22-rank Reuter organ from Good Shepherd
Catholic Church, Beverly Hills (on an as is, where is basis)		    5,000.00
Equivalent value of Good Shepherd organ if new 440,000.00
Estimate to construct new 12' x 18' chamber over Sacristy  15,000.00
Estimated cost to remove/transport Reuter organ to HLC    2,000.00
Estimated Budget to reconstruct/repair/integrate and re-voice   65,000.00
Current Organ Fund on hand (November 15, 2007)    4,150.00
Target for Organ Project80,000.00


Note: These do not include acoustical or cosmetic changes to the Sanctuary, such as new carpet or refinishing floors, rearranging choir risers, etc.

Recommendations:

For the November 2007 Congregational Meeting, the Organ Committee moves:

  1. that a new organ chamber be designed and built over the Sacristy; 
  2. that the 22-rank Reuter instrument be installed and integrated with our existing pipe work;
  3. that new funds be raised to help defray as much as possible of the cost of construction and re-construction;
  4. that the Council be authorized to expend up to $80,000 for the work described;
  5. that the Arlene Reed Capital Fund be used as a “line of credit” to finance the work until the money is raised.

The Recommendations were adopted.

You can also read the previous reports of the Committee, also in PDF format:  April 15 2007.