Mural, Kalamzou and Windchests

These posts are authored by Allison Andrews, Parish Historian 

MURAL

Two big changes when the organ was removed: a piano was moved into in the Madonna corner and large gap was left behind the choir. This space has been filled with a mural created by Rev. Maggie Arnold and Adele Travisano. Maggie describes the mural as "a very loose homage to Helen Frankenthaler's painting "Bay Side" from 1967." The decorated cardboard organ attached to it is a co-creation of parishioners at the "Goodbye Organ" dinner in April.

 "KALAMZOU CHAP"

"Kalamazou Chap"   These words with a carved leaf are found on a piece of wood that was removed from the organ chamber.  What could they mean? Are they part of a longer phrase? Maybe an inside joke?  Are they from 1875, or a later addition?

AT THE SHOP - WINDCHESTS

Meanwhile back at the workshop, the rebuilding has begun: They are building wind chests, the wooden boxes that  hold pressurized air. Our organ will have several.

Here is the top side of a wind chest, called the toe board, under construction. Holes will be drilled where pipes will set their "toes"  and stand ready to receive air from the chest below. The drawing shows the complicated plan for placement of the holes.

Dismantling