Chicago-Midwest ChapterOrgan Historical Society |
 |
|
St. John Lutheran Church
|
|
4707 Pratt Avenue
|
|
Lincolnwood, Illinois
|
|
|
|
Towering over Pratt Avenue is the brick and glass structure known as St. John's Lutheran Church of Lincolnwood. As early as 1941 Lincolnwood and Skokie were canvassed for establishing a new church while the first session of Sunday Church School was held in the Village Municipal Building. It was not until October 11 of the following year that St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church was officially organized with 91 Charter Members. Included on that historic day for the church was the GroundBreaking ceremony for the construction of a combination Chapel and parsonage on North Kilpatrick Street. Two weeks later the first pastor of St. John's was installed. In 1948 the congregation purchased additional property and engaged architect William F. Kramer to design the new church building, although ground breaking for this present church did not occur until 1951. Work proceeded very fast with the first unit of the church's building being dedicated the very next year - the nave. As early as 1957 a full time Director of Music and Youth was hired. 1962 was a very important year in the life of this parish church as it became a part of the LCA - Lutheran Church in America and saw the installation of the M. P. Moeller Organ Opus 9656. The Moeller Organ (built at a cost of $35,000.00) was installed in the center of a high alcove at the rear of the nave with the console located at the front of a very spacious choir gallery loft. This gallery was designed to accommodate a large choir and the full forces of an instrumental ensemble. Chief among the many noted organists that have played organ recitals at St. John's was the blind Parisian Jean Langlais. As you visit this church complex, please note the many works of fine art housed here including the nearby elegant chapel.
|
|
|
|
Specification of M. P. Moeller Organ Company - Opus 9656 (1962) |
|
|
|
Great Organ (Manual II): 8' Principal |
|
Swell Organ (Manual III): 8' Rohrflote
|
|
Choir Organ (Manual I): 16' Erzahler
|
|
Pedal Organ: 32' Resultant |
|
Accessories: 8 General Pistons with Toe Studs duplicating 5 - 8 Thumb Pistons: Toe Studs: Couplers: Swell to Great 16' Swell to Choir Swell Expression Shoe Glockenstern Switch (on/off) En-Chamade (indicator lights for Stop and Blower)
(Information resourced from a published church history and on-site visit.) |