The Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, Brigham Young University
20. April 2026
In 2026, we carried out restoration work on the choir organ at Our Lady’s Church in Assens. The work was funded by the J.O. Wroblewski Foundation. The organ was originally built around 1850 by Hunther & Webb for the monastery church in New Ross, Ireland. In 2022, the organ was installed in Our Lady’s Church by the organ builders Nieland & Crane. The organ comprises 15 stops, 2 manuals and pedal.
The original action was altered at an unknown date. During this work, extensive use was made of modern materials such as plastic nuts and the like. Furthermore, the original pedal for the Swell was converted to a modern balance pedal. In connection with the relocation to Assens, a new pedal keyboard was installed, in accordance with BDO standards, along with a matching bench. The larger division in the pedal keyboard necessitated further alterations to the action mechanism around the console. The addition of the electric pallet box for C-H in the II. manual is also among the changes carried out in recent times.
The original action was altered at an unknown date. During this work, extensive use was made of modern materials such as plastic nuts and the like. Furthermore, the original pedal for the Swell was converted to a modern balance pedal. In connection with the relocation to Assens, a new pedal keyboard was installed, in accordance with BDO standards, along with a matching bench. The larger division in the pedal keyboard necessitated further alterations to the action mechanism around the console. The addition of the electric pallet box for C-H in the II. manual is also among the changes carried out in recent times.
The restoration in 2026 includes, among other things, the following tasks: A new organ bench, with height adjustment. A new flat pedalboard, with dimensions in accordance with BDO standards. A new blower box located outside the organ case and connected via new wind channels.
Various alterations and replacements have been made to the action and coupler system, with a view to reducing key pressure and improving access for adjusting the action. This includes the installation of new rollerboards, with iron rollers, new brackets, action levers and trackers. Various modifications have been made to the stop action to ensure reliable operation. Furthermore, a swell pedal has been reconstructed, modelled on a historical example. The pedal can be set to 3 positions (“notches”): swell closed, swell half-open, swell fully open.
The manual windchests have been restored, including new windchest grid coverings in the form of leather linings. New, short spouts have been inserted into the windchest opening, forming the rear end of the valve opening. The playing valves have been fitted with new valve control pins at the rear. New faceboards have been inserted into the windchest. Pipe table and sliders have been treated with graphite. The width of the pallet openings has been reduced, and the pallets have been fitted with new linings as well as new pallet springs and dowels.
Wooden pipes have been checked for leaky joints and fitted with re-leathered stoppers. All pipes have been re-voiced, and finally tuned.
Specifications
Great I. manual C-g3
Open Diapason 8’
Viol de Gamba 8’ from c0
Stopped Bass 8’ C-H
Clarabella 8’ from c0
Principal 4’
Flute 4’
Twelfth 2 2/3’
Fifteenth 2’
Mixture II
Swell II. Manual C-g3
Stopped Bass 8’ C-H with electric action (permanently coupled to II. Manual)
Lieblich Gedact 8’ from c0
Open Diapason 8‘ from c0
Principal 4‘ from c0
Fifteenth 2‘ from c0
Oboe 8‘ from c0
Pedal C-d1
Bourdon 16’
Couplers, operated by draw stops: Swell to Great, Pedal to keys (=P+I)
Combinations, operated by pedal: Piano, Forte, Tutti
