In due time, each note played by the new organ at Blessed Sacrament Church will add to the church's long line of history. That's because it's no ordinary organ.
The authentic 1878 Henry Erben organ complements the aura and long history of the church. Considered to be one of the most prestigious organs of its kind, it is now at home in the 97-year-old University District church.
"Everyone is extremely pleased," said Christopher Murray, Blessed Sacrament's capital campaign manager. "[The organ] fits in with the gothic architecture. The dark wood of the Erben complements the dark wood panel of the building. And even though it's not completely ready, the sound is wonderful and matches the splendor of the church."
A unique opportunity
Blessed Sacrament was presented with the unique opportunity to purchase the exquisite organ back in March, after someone spied an ad on St. Dominic Church of San Francisco's website.
St. Dominic, which now has an even larger organ, was pressured to sell the 4,000-pound, 902-pipe Erben to make way for a major restoration project that could not begin until the organ was moved.
"The chance to acquire an antique organ on favorable terms could not be passed over by our church, nor could the opportunity to provide such a rich offering for area arts and music," said Father Daniel Syverstad, parish administrator at Blessed Sacrament, in a statement.
St. Dominic offered to sell the organ for $50,000 on the condition that it be shipped no later than May 1. According to Murray, paying for the organ has already been taken care of.
"We were very lucky," he said. "We have a donor who will purchase the organ, but it does cost $29,500 to dismantle, ship and reassemble the organ."
The dismantled organ arrived May 2 in a freight trailer, and contractors immediately began reassembling it.
"It's not always easy moving something that is 4,000 pounds," Murray said. "The contractors are describing it as a living thing. There are 902 pipes; each has to be set and tuned."
Murray said the organ will be ready for its debut at Mass time on the parish's feast day, this Sunday, May 29, the feast of Corpus Christi.
Through fund-raising efforts, donations and grants promoted through press releases and newspaper articles, Murray estimated that approximately $16,000 has been covered for the shipping costs. He hopes to have the rest covered by the feast day (call 547-3020 for details on how to donate).
A unique church organ
The acquisition of the organ comes on the heels of a major $3.6 million restoration project at Blessed Sacrament to repair damages it sustained in the 2001 Nisqually earthquake.
Syverstad said that the addition of the organ to the church, combined with the restoration, will make Blessed Sacrament, 5050 Eighth Ave. N.E., one of the most attractive churches in Seattle.
This is the first Erben organ in the state and is one of the oldest instruments in Washington. The organ carries the name of Henry Erben (1800-84), a well-known organ builder from New York City.
According to many organ historians, Erben was "the pre-eminent organ builder" in the New York area and the "measuring stick" to all builders of instruments of the era. It is believed that he built more than 1,000 organs in his lifetime.
Many organ enthusiasts and experts are praising the arrival of the organ in the state as a blessing not only to Blessed Sacrament, but of the entire Archdiocese of Seattle and the Seattle region.
"Henry Erben set a precedent for American organ builders," said historian James Stettner, of the Pipe Organ Foundation and Puget Sound Pipe Organs. "The Erben will be a huge addition to the organ scene in Seattle."
The Erben will replace the much-smaller 1970 Vermeulen organ the church has been using since it acquired the instrument after an organ convention in Seattle.
"The old organ was small and inadequate," Murray said. "Now we finally have an organ that is worthy of the space."
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