St. Paul's Wicks Pipe Organ, Opus 1639

By Bonnie Smith

“The pipe organ of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church was built by the Wicks Pipe Organ Company of Highland, IL.  It was originally built for the Church with three of them here in Gainesville, TX.  In 1996 the organ returned to the Wicks factory, where it was cleaned up, slightly altered and then reinstalled at St. Paul’s.  The organ has 5 ranks – a rank being a set of pipes with one particular timbre.  The total number of pipes is 365.  The façade pipes were left behind after a rebuild on the organ at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Waco, TX.  They were cleaned and painted for the façade here.  The very idea that a church would consider buying a 60-year-old instrument is a testament to the lasting value of pipe organs.”   -- John Dill, 5/5/99

When we moved to Gainesville 2/85 and immediately joined St. Paul Episcopal Church, St. Paul's had an electronic organ, a Rogers.  It had been there since 1968.  Over the years, it had become quite ornery, occasionally making shrill sounds.  It had to be turned off to get it to stop.  Sometimes it would do it while being played, other times it would do it during quiet times of the service.  We had it checked, also occasionally, but to no avail.  We put up with this "forever."  On Christmas Eve 1996, the Rogers was especially obnoxious.  Upon reflection, I don't think it was an accident.  God "moved" it to misbehave.  By some 1990 to November, 1993.)  Except when he was our organist, he never came before that Christmas Eve, nor has he since.  It was good that Johnny could hear the naughty Rogers.  Marvin Knight (since moved to NC) was our senior warden and got to hear how bad the Rogers had become.  After the service, he and Johnny congregated at the organ bench around Sandra, our organist.   Marvin said to Johnny, "I don't care what it takes, get rid of that organ."  In addition to being organist for First Baptist/Denton, Johnny also worked for the Wicks Pipe Organ Company maintaining and installing organs for them.  He knew that there was an old organ that had come in from the Church of Christ Scientist in Ardmore.  The organ was at the Wicks factory in Illinois being reconditioned.  It was priced at $15,000 or so -- delivered and installed, and we jumped at the chance!  Johnny reminds me that St. Paul's purchased the organ having never heard it.  “The amount of faith the church put in me was humbling, and I will never forget that.”

Johnny asked me to list 5 more miracles about the organ:

“1.  The console did not have to be re-finished or stained.
2.  First Baptist Church Denton Texas had a set of Swell shades that perfectly fit behind the façade pipes (for free), they were not part of the original organ at the Denton church, and St. Paul's needed two sets.
3.  The façade pipes came out of a barn and were in very bad shape but after a bit of work, they look wonderful.
4.  The main cable did not have to be made longer.  A perfect fit.
5.  Bill Williams actually said that it sounded good.”

 

There was one stop on the console that needed a "job."  He gave me the choice of a zymblestern or one other instrument/voice that I can't now remember.  I chose the zymblestern in a heartbeat, having heard my first one across the street at First Baptist. He made the zymblestern himself.  It is upstairs with the pipes.  He gave me a tour of upstairs, and I took pictures for the Opus 1639 webpage that I will be linking online to our St. Paul’s website very shortly.  You will be able to see pictures of the renovation as it moved along, and the organ installation concurrently.  After the renovation of the inside of the church was finished, we had our "Grand Opening" on June 22, 1997, for both church interior and organ.  Our anthem was “Bless This House.” 

The Wicks Pipe Organ Company is now up to 6442 instruments, and there are four Wicks Organs now in Gainesville.  The pipe organ at First Methodist Church made by William King & Son) is the oldest, being built in 1893. 

  ∙ 1.  St. Paul's Episcopal Church - 1937 (5 ranks)

  ∙ 2.  Westminster Presbyterian Church - 1970 (8 ranks)

  ∙ 3.  Whaley Methodist Church - 1972 (9 ranks)

  ∙ 4.  First Baptist Church – 1975 (29 ranks)

Our organ is now 72 years old, making it the second oldest pipe organ in Gainesville.   This beautiful instrument was designed by Henry Vincent Willis, the grandson of the famous English organ builder, Henry Willis Sr.  The instrument, though built in America, is English in tonal quality, which makes it perfect for accompanying hymns and choirs.  It is the only fully "English" inspired organ in Gainesville.

Bonnie Smith, 3/15/09 (with factual help from John Dill)

Opus 1639 on YouTube

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Clickable on pictures below to enlarge