A New Organ Arrives

Yesterday the Oysterville Church said “goodbye,” at least for the time being, to the little pump organ that has been providing music there since the 1930s. A replacement organ – older, but in better condition musically, had arrived to take its place. Whether or not the lovely little 1880s vintage organ will be a permanent replacement is yet to be decided.

The old organ, which is actually newer, was purchased by the women of Oysterville in the 1930s. It was during the Great Depression and Edith Olson felt that the community could use some cheering up. She suggested to the Sewing Bee that they save their ‘egg and cream money’ for an organ. They sent for it through the Catalog Order Department of Sears Roebuck & Company (or it might have been Montgomery Wards) and the cost came to “about $25” my mother remembered.

‘Old’ Pump Organ

For the past fifteen years or so, the organ has needed serious help – not externally but internally. As long as he was living, Floyd Rank kept the instrument in good shape but since his death in 2001, the Oysterville Restoration Foundation has not found anyone with pump organ expertise to come to its rescue.

The organ’s main occupation is to play accompaniment to the congregational hymn-singing during Oysterville’s Summer Music Vesper services. Over the years, the volunteer organists have found the job more and more challenging.  Suzanne Knutzen (who has struggled with our organ longer than anyone else) and her husband Doug have come to the rescue. The replacement organ was donated by Suzanne’s mother’s church in Bow, Washington.

“Bow,” says Doug “is about halfway between Seattle and Vancouver B.C.; midway between Alger and Allen; east of Edison.” “Just off Chuckanut Drive,” adds Suzanne.

Test Run by Bradley

The organ hadn’t been used for about twenty years and was ‘in storage’ at the Bow Church of Christ where they have a modern electric organ. According to Suzanne, the congregation is very happy to donate it to Oysterville in the hope that it will have a useful life once again.

Suzanne is not sure about the provenance of the ‘new’ organ beyond the fact that it was made by the A.B. Chase Company in Ohio.  Originally it may have been purchased by her mom’s church or, perhaps, by the group who owned the building back in the days it was the Temperance Hall. What is certain is that the new arrival is approximately the same size as Oysterville’s old organ, is of darker wood (which matches the piano better) and “plays wonderfully” according to both Suzanne and Oysterville Restoration Board member, Bradley Huson.  It should be a relaxed year for the Vesper organists.

As for the ‘old’ organ – it was taken to the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum where it is scheduled to tell its story in a fall exhibit about the Depression Era on the Peninsula. After that? The jury is out. Sentiment says, “It should be kept in Oysterville.” Practicality says, “Where?” Wishful thinking says, “Maybe we can find a pump organ expert and it can go back where it belongs.” Which would lead to other questions.

Stay tuned (as they say)…