1885 Felgemaker
St. Bartholemew's Catholic Church, Wilmore, PA

Fortunately, this jewel of an organ has been left in almost totally original condition in this massive historic pre-Civil War era gothic church completed in 1854 located in a town with legendary ties as a link in the "Underground" Railroad.  According to veteran church member and historian, Emil Branas, the instrument was hand pumped until 1942.   At that time, the 2rk Mixture stop was unfortunately replaced with a tremolo.  A mixture of various misc. ranks was then reinstalled in the mid 1970's by a Franciscan priest, Fr. Alfred  Schendel.  Unfortunately these pipes are too large in scale in the bass octaves and beyond repair in the treble. Restoration plans include the following to be carried out in three seperate phases.  Phases one and two have been completed as of August 2008.  The restoration of the Facade pipes awaits additional funding.  See details below:

Phase I Bellows Releathering:
Description:

1. Bellows releathered, materials custom cut and furnished by Columbia Organ Leathers, (help with moving in church by Rick Golden)
2. Remanufacture of bellows pump handle and straps
3. Installation of non-return valve in bellows to allow for hand pumping
4. Redirection of wind line under floor
5. Construction of new pipe connection to bellows
6. Addition of concussion bellows on main wind line to chest
7. Addition of poplar frame allowing for removal of reservoir top
8. Addition of ¼” plywood top protector
9. Reconstruction of walnut side panel to eliminate hole from former wind line 

Phase II Misc. Repairs and Improvements:

1. All internal pipes removed, cleaned, polished, revoiced, retuned, (tuning help by Michelle Panick of Wilmore, Jeff Donnelly of St. Michael)
2. Installation of new additional swell shades on roof of swell box, shades manufactured by Hoff Enterprises, Johnstown PA under the direction of Doug Wess. 
3. Enlargement and improvement of the swell box access door
4. All rack boards removed, planed, sanded, refinished
5. New stainless steel tuning sleeves installed, materials provided by Mike Maderia owner of International Organ Supply, Garwood NJ. 
6. Installation of raised Tierce rank replacing Dulciana which was severely damaged
7. New pipe rack for Diapason replacing original which was cracked
8. Replacement of substandard Mixture II with Mixture II pipes from 1966 Moller originally in St. David’s Lutheran, Davidsville  PA (Original Felgemaker Mixture was lost when replaced with a tremolo in c.1942)
9. Installation of new custom matched stop faces (Melodia, Tierce, Mixture II) provided by Organ Supply Industries, Erie PA.
10. Construction of new mirror and light combination, dovetailed walnut and oak to match details of casework  Custom cut and beveled mirror provided by Hooker Glass Co. of Decatur IL. Mirror frame manufactured of walnut salvaged from side panels
11. Cleaning and Refinishing of casework frames and panels

Phase III:  Restoration of Facade Pipe Stencils (Pending funds)