(updated 2/5/06 )

Music > Pipe Organ

Pipe Organ Added to Sanctuary

It has been a long time dream of this congregation to one day add a pipe organ to the Sanctuary. Always designated to a wish list, this project was thought to be out of reach given other needs of growing programs and a shortage of building space.

In the Spring of 2000, the music staff was made aware of a pipe organ for sale at Grace United Methodist Church, Oletha, Kansas. After a trip to Oletha it was determined that the instrument had been well maintained and would be a great bargain for only $10,000. Mac Range, of the Mac Range Organ Company in Mesquite, Texas, agreed to take on the project of disassembling, moving, refurbishing, and reinstalling the pipe organ in Duncanville.

Mac Range’s proposal included adding two additional ranks of pipes, a 16' trombone and an 8' en chamade as well as incorporating four ranks of Roger’s pipes from FUMC’s current organ. Range Organ also suggested changing the console to solid state to increase memory capacity and add such features and a transposer and melody coupler. When it was all said and done, the project would take a $10,000 used pipe organ and turn it into a half million dollar instrument. A conglomeration of pipes makes it difficult to name the type of pipe organ in the Sanctuary. It’s best said that we have a 31 rank Range pipe organ.

The entire project was made possible through a generous gift from Don and Linda Carter and the Carter Foundation. This gift was made in honor of Linda Carter’s mother, Maudine Smith and the United Sunday School Class. First United Methodist Church, Duncanville is grateful to the Carter Foundation for making this dream come true. This pipe organ is certain to lead in worship for many generations to come.