The Pipe Organ: A Musical Legacy

🏛️ Origins and Carnegie Support

• In 1913, plans for the new church included a pipe organ.

• The congregation applied to Andrew Carnegie, known for funding over 8,000 organs worldwide.

• Carnegie’s grant required a completed building, which was dedicated in fall 1916.

🎹 Installation and Dedication

• In early 1917, George Kilgen & Sons finalized the organ proposal.

• Carnegie approved a $1,000 matching grant.

• The Kilgen pipe organ was installed and dedicated on October 7, 1917.

• It was the first of only two pipe organs in Caldwell and the third in Sumner County.

🛠️ Replacement and Upgrades

• The original Kilgen organ deteriorated and was replaced in 1951 by Opus 8210 from M.P. Moller Organ Co.

• The new organ featured:

  • Two 61-note English Ivory keyboards

  • A 32-note wooden pedalboard

  • 640 wind-blown pipes of various materials and sizes

• Estimated replacement cost today: at least $250,000.

🌩️ Storm Damage and Restoration

• A 1968 storm damaged the organ; it was rebuilt in Hagerstown and reinstalled in 1969.

• Burton Tidwell played his senior recital on the restored organ.

🔧 Modern Enhancements

• In 1996, 118 pipes were replaced with brighter-sounding ones in memory of Lonnie and Betty Tidwell.

• In 2003, electrical systems were upgraded to solid-state technology, enabling USB playback.

🎶 Burton K. Tidwell’s Contributions

• Studied organ at age 14 at Caldwell UMC.

• Became organist for both Caldwell UMC and the Presbyterian Church.

• Now serves as organist/liturgist at Reformation Lutheran Church in Wichita.

• Renowned as a performer, organ builder, and published writer.