Luther Memorial’s pipe organs

Music at Luther Memorial has a foundation in the magnificent sound of its three pipe organs.

Austin

Austin

The first organ to grace our building was built by the M. P. Möller Organ Company of Hagerstown, Maryland in 1923. This instrument was sold to the House on the Rock in Spring Green, Wisconsin in 1966. The façades, located high on the front walls of the church, are the only elements of this instrument that remain.

Luther Memorial purchased its current Austin organ in 1966 and it has seen a few changes and updates over the years. In 1986, J.C. Taylor of Kaukauna, WI, added the Great Trompete, Great Terz and replaced the Krummhorn in the Choir. In 2008, Ericksen, Christian & Associates of Chicago rebuilt the console and added a new, digital relay.

The organ at present includes 52 stops and contains 56 ranks.

Austin specifications (pdf)

For an in-depth description and tour of the instrument, watch this video hosted by Director of Music, Andrew Schaeffer.

J.W. Steere and Son

J.W. Steere and Son

In 1996 Luther Memorial purchased and restored an 1893 J.W. Steere and Son tracker action pipe organ.  Prior to its home at Luther Memorial, the Steere was located in a church on the near west side of Chicago.  The organ was completely restored by J. C. Taylor and Co. of Kaukauna, Wisconsin. The stenciled pipes were repainted according to original colors and design, by Mary Lou Davis of Woodstock, Connecticut. From its place in the east transept of the nave, the Steere organ provides leadership for intimate liturgical services, as well as festive occasions when two or more organs are played.

Steere specifications (pdf)

To learn about the extensive history of this unique instrument, watch this video hosted by Director of Music, Andrew Schaeffer.

Bedient

Bediant portative

A 1986 Bedient portative organ of three stops (8′ Gedeckt, 4′ Flute, 2′ Principal).

Grand piano

1913 Mason & Hamlin CC concert grand piano

Luther Memorial is proud to own a rare 1913 Mason & Hamlin CC concert grand piano. The instrument was thoroughly restored by Farley’s House of Pianos in Madison and purchased thanks to the generosity of many members of the congregation in 2019. The piano’s primary function is to support the many concerts held in the nave, but it is also occasionally used for liturgies.