Elgin church crescendos its organ power with makeover

Some people love the rich sound of a massive pipe organ, while some people think the instrument is passe.

A Chicago church I know removed a perfectly good pipe organ from its sanctuary a few years ago.

But its cousin at Elgin's First United Methodist Church just got a $385,000 makeover -- bringing it into the 21st century as a hybrid, combining traditional pipes with digital technology.

"The Austin organ was dying a slow, lingering death," said church organist Mark Johnson.

"Music is very important to this church, especially the organ."

Built in Hartford, Conn., in 1924, the Austin came with 40 ranks (sets) of pipes that produced many thousands of hymns over eight decades of worship.

The originals remain, but First Methodist added 20 more ranks in the two-year rebuilding project.

That makes a total of 3,600 pipes ranging from 6 inches to 16 feet in length.

Half the new pipes were mounted at the back of the church, "and we basically crammed the rest into the existing organ chambers," Johnson said.

Those pipes at the back include 61 trumpets mounted "en chamade," meaning horizontally instead of vertically, for a spectacular fanfare effect.

Johnson also got a huge new console -- a Rodgers Masterpiece Series 1038 -- with four manuals instead of three, 150 digital ranks and a MIDI sound module that can produce 1,200 digitally interfaced sounds.

"The purists don't like to hear it, but that's pretty much the way the pipe organ industry is going," Johnson said.

"Pipes are very expensive. By mixing in digital, churches can have a bigger sound without a bigger price tag."

Temperature-sensitive auto tuners keep the pipes and digital ranks in tune with each other, and the sound is boosted by 37 additional speakers in the sanctuary.

"It's one of the largest organs in the area," Johnson said.

"Nobody has four manuals, so I'm quite lucky to have four keyboards to play from. It's very nice."

Can't wait to hear the new sound?

The refurbished organ will be dedicated at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24, with a special concert by Hector Olivera, a world-renowned organist who has guest-soloed with many orchestras.

Olivera's program at First Methodist, 216 E. Highland Ave., will feature a variety of music, mostly classical, with some pieces that rely heavily on the new MIDI capabilities.

The performance is free to the public.

If you can't make the concert, maybe you'll be fortunate enough to hear the pipes playing when you happen to be in the neighborhood.

"I have an idea that people walking by can hear when I'm practicing sometimes," said Johnson, a piano major who learned to love the organ after college.

"It has a lot more power."

A tasty encounter: Have you checked out Encounter Cafe yet?

It's become one of my favorite places to relax with a cup of hot cocoa and a shortbread cookie.

But I think I'm going to have to sample the panini sandwiches and homemade soups over lunch someday soon.

Owner Scott Lyon said those items -- along with lattes and fresh-baked scones -- are among the cafe's most popular.

And those cookies I like?

A nearby bank orders them in bulk, so I know I'm not the only adoring customer.

Though privately owned, Encounter Cafe is located in West Ridge Community Church, which considers the upscale shop with an outside entrance to be a ministry tool.

But the cafe is also a ministry itself, of sorts.

"We serve the community in a way that they're not served out here," Lyon said.

"It's the only cafe at this point that's west of Randall Road."

Located about a mile from Randall at Route 20 and Encounter Lane, the cafe sees a lot of traffic from neighboring homes and businesses.

Visitors come to enjoy free wi-fi with their custom-blended coffee, or the ambiance of the fireplace and the expansive windows.

Business groups can rent meeting rooms, with catering, or have their orders delivered to the office.

Open Mic Night, from 7 to 9 p.m. the first Friday of each month, is a popular draw with a variety of good talent, Lyon said.

"Everything from poetry readings to opera."

The next Open Mic, on March 7, will feature Alati, a local all-girl Christian rock band.

And this Thursday, Lyon offers special desserts in honor of Valentine's Day.

He tries to have a little something for everyone.

"We're conscientious of both taste and the concern of health," Lyon said.

"Our muffins are all yogurt-based. But our brownies are decadent!"

Have a heart: Celebrate American Heart Month in February by donating blood this Saturday at First Congregational Church of Dundee.

Heartland Blood Centers, which supplies 33 hospitals in this area, will be at the church from 8 a.m. to noon to receive donors.

A blood donation only takes about an hour of your time, but the benefit it brings to a patient who needs it is incalculable.

First Congregational is at 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee.

You can get more information or make an appointment by calling Londa Krueger at (847) 428-8211.

Or, just show up; walk-ins are always welcome.

• What's going on in your church or synagogue? Do you have a special program, new staff, big plans? Someone who deserves recognition or something a little out of the ordinary? Contact "In the spirit" at cmchojnacki@yahoo.com.