Our Historic Stevens-Moore Tracker Organ
Organ Re-Dedication and Recital
Organ Re-Dedication:
Sunday, November 1st
9:30 AM during worship, featuring both of Zion’s organists and the Zion Adult Choir
Zion also celebrates All Saints’ Sunday that morning.
Organ Recital:
Sunday, November 1st
3:00 PM, reception following
Free and open to the public, free will offering.
Parking available on the street or in the lot off the alley North of the church.
Livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person.
Zion Lutheran Church pipe organ makes a joyful comeback
Michael Hovland and Sara Epstein Moninger
The historic pipe organ at Zion Lutheran Church in Iowa City has survived a lot in its 174 years. It’s been moved across the country, dismantled and rebuilt, damaged by construction workers, and even stored in the hayloft of a Vermont barn.
Perhaps its greatest challenge, however, came on Aug. 10, 2020, when a powerful derecho swept across Iowa, bringing hurricane-force winds and leaving widespread destruction.
At Zion, winds lifted solar panels from the roof, dislodging shingles and allowing rainwater to pour into the building — directly onto its 1852 Stevens– Moore pipe organ. Unfortunately, the damage was significant.
Six years later, following an extensive restoration, the organ is once again filling the church with music, and some say it sounds better than ever.
You can hear for yourself at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, when Zion presents a free recital to rededicate the organ and celebrate the instrument’s restoration. The performance features Zion organists Melanie Sigafoose and Marlys Boote and includes works by Vincent Lübeck, César Franck, Johann Sebastian Bach, Max Reger and Charles Ives.
The organ was built in 1852 by George Stevens & Co. in East Cambridge, Massachusetts, for Central Congregational Church in Bangor, Maine. It is a tracker organ, which means it uses a direct mechanical connection between the keys and the valves that admit air to its pipes.
When the Bangor church was razed in 1899, the Stevens organ was moved by Geo. S. Hutchings to the Christian Church in Woodstock, Vermont. At some point, the organ fell out of use. Around 1950, the Woodstock building was sold to the Masons, and the organ was boarded up and badly damaged in the process. The organ’s key desk, essentially the organist’s control center, was sawed off; new floor joists were nailed into the organ case; and many pipes were damaged.
Another building renovation further threatened the organ in 1963, but two budding organ builders, David Moore and Nick Atwood of North Pomfret, Vermont (high school students at the time), came to its rescue. They dismantled the instrument and reassembled it in the hayloft of the Moore family barn.
That’s where it remained until Zion Lutheran Church began looking for a pipe organ.
In 1974, Zion learned of the Stevens organ through the Organ Clearing House and engaged A. David Moore & Co. to rebuild it. The instrument was completely overhauled in Moore’s shop; damaged parts were repaired or replaced, and the organ was significantly enlarged , particularly the Pedal division.
The Stevens–Moore organ arrived in Iowa City in the spring of1977. Likely the oldest tracker organ in Iowa, it is housed in a majestic19th-century Greek Revival case adorned with Rococo-style basswood carvings. Its ivory stop-knob labels were hand-carved in script by Noel Mander of London, England.
The organ was dedicated at Zion on May 22,1977, with a recital by William B. Kuhlman, then professor of organ at Luther College. Since then, Zion’s congregation and visitors have enjoyed the instrument at worship services, concerts, recitals, and hymn sings for more than four decades.
When it was dismantled for damage assessment after the derecho, it became clear that many of its aging internal parts needed repair or replacement. A lengthy and challenging restoration was completed by master organ builder and musician Lubbert Gnodde of South Royalton, Vermont (a former apprentice of David Moore).
Mr. Gnodde was assisted by local organ technician Randall Karstens. David Moore, himself, provided consultation on the project until his sudden passing in 2025 at the age of 80. Another local organ technician, Patrick Budelier, completed early phases of the work.
Nearly half a century after its original dedication at Zion, the 174-year-old organ is ready for another celebration — and everyone is invited to the party.
Organ Repair and Maintenance Project: History and Overview
For the past 44 years, the Stevens-Moore organ has been a vital resource for Zion’s worship and music-making. The organ has a long history before coming to Zion, having been built in 1852 by the prolific and respected organ builder, George Stevens.
Over the years, Zion has taken good care of this treasure, attending to repairs and maintenance. However, a list of deferred work, due to logistics and cost, has been getting longer. Then came the Derecho storm of August, 2020. The roof was damaged, resulting in water leaking through the ceiling and into the organ. The damage was significant.
In consultation with Patrick Budelier Pipe Organ Services, a list of needed repairs and maintenance has been identified. Some are critical, in direct response to the water damage. Others are from the list of deferred maintenance. Once the scope of the repairs needed in response to the water damage was determined, it became clear that this is also the time to address other maintenance needs.
Zion’s Council has approved proceeding with the necessary repairs, which are scheduled to begin on May 17, 2021. Our organ is expected to fully repaired and functioning by April 2022.
Explore this page for information and resources related to the Zion organ, the current project, and opportunities for you to contribute.
Donate to Organ Preservation Fund: https://onrealm.org/ZionLutheranIC/-/form/give/organ
Organ Update: October 2024
As all are aware, Zion’s pipe organ has been out of commission since it was water-damaged following the derecho storm in August, 2020. Since that time, substantial repairs have been completed. However, in January of this year, Zion’s congregation approved hiring a new contractor, Lubbert Gnodde of Pomfret, Vermont, to finish the restoration and reassembly. Lubbert came to us on the recommendation of A. David Moore, who installed our “Stevens/Moore” organ in 1977. Lubbert worked in David Moore’s shop for many years, and both reside in Pomfret. Lubbert came to Iowa City in December of 2023 and at that time completed a thorough written Assessment and Plan for Repair and Reinstallation. That Plan was presented to and approved by the congregation and remains the blueprint for finishing this project.
The next step in the restoration process is for three large wind chests to be removed from the organ so that they can be repaired. These wind chests, along with some smaller components, are best repaired in Lubbert’s shop in Vermont. It was determined that the most efficient approach would be for David Moore to retrieve the wind chests and other components for delivery to Lubbert. David has been planning to travel to California to complete a major organ installation and has agreed to stop in Iowa City for the wind chests on his way back from California to Vermont. Unfortunately, David’s trip –originally scheduled for July – has been delayed. At present, we are in regular communication with Lubbert and with David regarding these logistics (or an alternative). We hope to have clarity on the timeline – both for removal/delivery of the wind chests and for the completion of restoration and reinstallation – in the near future.
We will strive to provide more frequent updates; however, you should always feel free to ask any member of the Organ Committee for the latest developments. We all ache for the day when our wonderful organ will once again support worship at Zion. Thank you for your patience and prayers.
Organ Committee: Marlys Boote, Melanie Sigafoose, Bill Nibbelink, Tim Krumm
Organ Update: December 2023
At long last – an Organ Update … and there is good news to share!
A substantial portion of the repair and restoration work on our Stevens-Moore organ has been completed. The work to date has been accomplished by Patrick Budelier. Recently, the decision was made to engage a different organ builder for the completion of the project.
Lubbert Gnodde, of Pomfret, Vermont, has been to Iowa City to assess our project and providehis recommendations. Those familiar with our organ’s history will note that Pomfret Vermont is also the home of A. David Moore, our original organ builder. Lubbert worked for many years in David’s shop and comes to us at David’s recommendation.
To learn more about Lubbert,check out his website: www.lubbertgnodde.com.
Lubbert’s assessment is that the work to date has been well done. Some essential work is needed on the main wind chests (1 swell; 2 great). Once that is accomplished, the main task will be the careful re-assembly of the instrument. Our instrument is old and unique – so a few surprises in the re-assembly process can be expected. Still, there is great optimism that the organ will be better than ever. We anticipate that work will re-commence after the first of the year, with the removal of the wind chests. The work on those components will take place in Lubbert’s shop in Vermont, and is estimated to take about 6 weeks. After that, the wind chests and all other components (including over 1800 pipes) can be re-installed.
Lubbert’s preliminary cost estimate for completing our project, including restoration of the wind chests, is within the original budget. At this point, we are cautiously optimistic that the funds remaining in the Organ Preservation Fund will be sufficient (thanks to Zion’s generosity when funds were raised). We anticipate that the Church Council will want to hold a congregational meeting after the first of the year to approve a new contract. More information will be provided at that time.
The Organ Committee
Tim Krumm, Marlys Boote, Melanie Sigafoose, and Bill Nibbelink