The Boone United Methodist Church was the first entity in Northwestern North Carolina to purchase a pipe organ. The organ was a 1884 Holstein (tracker action) purchased from First United Methodist Church, Charlotte, North Carolina in 1923. In the 1950’s, the organ was refurbished and the action was changed to electro pneumatic. The Holstein was listed with the national historical society for pipe organs and served the church until the fire of 1981.
When the rotunda of the church caved in on the chancel, parts of the organ were severely damaged. As the fire was extinguished, it was deemed that the organ was a total loss due to severe water damage. The only items saved from the sanctuary were a three-octave set of Schulmerich handbells and a baptismal font.
Shortly after the fire a new church building was designed and in 1984, a two-manual, 14 rank Schantz pipe organ was installed in the new church. The organ was donated by Ellen Payne at a cost of approximately $200,000.00. Parts of this organ currently serve the church today.
In 2000, the church relocated to its current location and the organ was expanded to include three manuals and 37 ranks of pipes by Grooms and Payne at an approximate cost of $800,000.00. The 14-rank Schantz was disassembled and packed to be transported from King Street to New Market Boulevard at an approximate cost of $20,000.00. The original pipes from the Schantz now exist in the choir and swell chambers of the organ.
The approximate worth of the current organ is well over $1,000,000.00. The current curator for the organ is John Dower and Co., of Lincolnton, North Carolina. It is one of the most visible organs in North Carolina and is heard by hundreds of people each week through a television and radio broadcast.
Plans are currently underway for the expansion of the organ to include a rank of trumpets en chamade, which will be placed above the organ and can be heard in solo above the full organ sound. The church is grateful for the tireless efforts of Dr. H. Max Smith and Dr. R. Clinton Parker as well as those who served on the building and capital campaign committee for ensuring that the church maintains an incredible instrument.
BOONE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (Organ Specification)
Great Choir
16 Gemshorn 8 Krummhorn
8 Principal 8 Gedeckt
8 Bourdon 8 Celeste
8 Gemshorn 8 Gemshorn
8 Trumpet 4 Rohr Flute
4 Octave 2 Principal
4 Koppel Flute 2 2/3 Nazard
2 Block Flute
IV Mixture
Chimes
Swell Pedal
16 Rohr Flute 32 Faux Bourdon
16 Faggott 32 Bombarde
8 Viol Diapason 16 Principal
8 Rohr Flute 16 Brumm Bass
8 Salicional 16 Gedeckt
8 Faggott 16 Trumpet
8 Trompette 16 Faggott
4 Principal 8 Octave Bass
4 Spitz Flute 8 Gedeckt
4 Faggott 8 Gemshorn
2 Octavin 8 Trompette
III Mixture 4 Octave Bass
4 Flute
4 Faggott
5 1/3 Quint
IV Mixture
Expression Pedals
Swell
Choir
Crescendo
Memory
99 Memory Levels
8 General Presets
6 Divisional Presets on Each Division
8 General Toe Presets
8 Pedal Presets
