The organ has been dismantled; a replacement instrument is playing

On Monday the organ builder began dismantling our organ. The bellows, the wind chests and the façade pipes — the largest ones, visible from the nave — were taken down. Everything has gone to the workshop in Elbląg, where the work will continue until spring.

In the organ loft only the empty frames and the organ case remain; we are not touching the case — it is historic and will stay in place throughout the restoration. The conservator inspected it during the dismantling and found the wood to be in good condition, although it needs cleaning.

A digital replacement instrument, borrowed for the entire period of the work, has been installed in the church and was tuned on Friday. It will not replace the old organ, but it will allow us to lead the singing normally. Mr Jerzy Wałdoch asks for your understanding — the sound is different, and he too has to get used to it.

During the dismantling a note from 1953 was found in the bellows, signed by the organ builder who carried out a repair at the time, with a note about replacing the leather. We will keep the note; it will go back in its place together with the restored bellows, and we will add one of our own.

We expect the first stage to be completed in the spring. The second stage — the console and tuning of the whole instrument — will require another appeal.