Holy Trinity Lutheran Church - Chicago

Illinois, USA

The organ for Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Chicago, Illinois was designed and rebuilt by Triune Music (a division of S. B. Smith & Associates) of Elmhurst, Illinois. The Positiv Division is the work of Fratelli Ruffatti of Padua, Italy.

The organ is comprised of five divisions (Great, Swell, Choir, Positiv & Pedal). The expressed Swell is located in the west chamber at the front of the Nave, and the unexpressed Great and Pedal divisions are in the opposite chamber on the east side of the altar. The Choir division is under expression and is located in the rear loft in front of the lower portion of the south window. The Positiv division hangs on the rail of the loft, directly behind the console. All of the divisions are now controlled by a custom Rodgers three-manual five-division console built with raised panels, mechanical drawknobs and wood-core keyboards.

Originating as Möller Opus 3556, the organ was first installed in 1923. The original console had been in use for over 80 years and there were extensive chest problems, ciphers and dead notes. The current Choir Division originated as Möller Opus 10857 and had been installed as a practice instrument at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago until the school closed prior to the turn of the 21st century.

Rebuilding has included new chest work in the Swell and Great, refurbishing and reconfiguration of those same divisions as well as addition of several new ranks of pipes. The fiery “new” Swell Trumpet is also of Möller origin. The new specification boasts 30 ranks of pipes and includes most of the 17 ranks from the 1923 organ.

The vision for this instrument has been driven by its need to serve the church as an integral part of the musical fabric of the Liturgy, and also going beyond that scope to enable organ, choral and liturgical literature of all styles and periods to be performed successfully.