Custom New Builds

Why build a new pipe organ?

A traditional pipe organ is desirable for its versatility, magnificent architectural features, pure and vast array of sounds in contrast to the digital sounds of other modern instruments. In addition, a custom built organ makes the best use of the unique acoustics in your church buildings and architecture. Custom pipe organs are designed for churches, concert halls, and institutions seeking an instrument that is uniquely suited to their space, musical goals, and long-term needs.

However, some churches may choose to purchase an existing organ from a different church and modify it to suit the new buildings acoustics. This can be effective in certain cases where the instrument itself is of great historic and musical value. Otherwise, the church may find out possibly a little too late that the recycled pipe organ does not complement the new building’s space fully.

Ultimately, a well built custom organ has the potential to inspire a congregation and elevate the quality of the music enabling members to make a deeper connection with the divine in daily or weekly services.

Why hire Leek Pipe Organ Company?

Our organs incorporate traditional old world European craftsmanship with modern designs and cutting edge technology at an affordable price.

In contrast, larger firms that have to pay high overhead costs often put customers in precarious financial positions with cost overruns despite initial promises they make to the contrary. Our strong record of being a 100% on budget and on schedule in all of our major restoration projects gives our customers peace of mind and an assurance that their funds are going to be utilized as planned.

Moreover, our company’s decades of experience in servicing organs has given our staff the intimate knowledge of design/technical flaws of a variety of contemporary and historic organ builders. Our cross trained staff have honed their ability to solve problems created by such flaws. This accumulated knowledge enables us to build organs that require minimal service and when in need of attention will be easily serviceable.

Finally, for the past few decades we have honed our skills on organ restorations and are poised to build complete custom organs from the ground up! We welcome an opportunity to be of service in building your affordable custom pipe organ. From initial consultation and design to final installation and voicing, we guide each client through every stage of the organ-building process.

Stages in Organ Building

Stage 1

The congregation identifies need for building an organ custom fit to church architecture and establishes organ procurement committee. Preliminary research(Click for Guide)is conducted by the committee to identify the type of organ that best suits the congregation’s needs. The committee will get in contact with the organ builder, preparing a wish list and budget. A preliminary construction design, timeline and cost estimates are submitted for approval. Leek staff will work with church leaders to coordinate around special events, funerals, weddings etc. to maximize church sanctuary access and minimize disruptions. Click Steps to magnificent Pipe Organs.

Stage 2

After both parties are clear about expectations, a formal contract is submitted to the church leadership. The organ builder begins to build other organ components for which wood and other related organ building materials are obtained for the project. Proper and adequate sized blower and bellows must be in the design. The wind-chests are designed and built to suit the particular needs of the sanctuary and placement. The console is constructed for the size of the instrument. The keyboards and stop knobs or stop keys and installed. The switching, control systems and power supplies are designed for the project specifications.

Stage 3

The instrument is then assembled and built up at the church. The wind and electrical systems are installed and tested to ensure that they are in compliance with electrical code and industry standards.(Click for important information about national electrical code ) Following the testing stage, the organ pipes are installed and the final voicing and tuning process takes place. The organ committee reviews all construction guarantees and future service contracts with the organ builder.

Custom Pipe Organs Built by Leek Pipe Organ Company

St. Joseph Catholic Church, Strongsville, OH

Watch the birth of pipe organ.

John Leek Installing the tracker pipe organ he built in 1985 at First Presbyterian Church in Bowling Green, Ohio

Dedication concert of forty years of service of Organist Dr. Vernon Wolcott Professor of Organ at Bowling Green State University, John Leek Pipe Organ as backdrop to choice performing

Stop List

Hoofdwerk ( Great)

Bourdon 16′
Prestant 8′
Roerfluit 4′
Octaaf 4′
Quint 2 2/3′
Octaaf 2′
Terts 1 3/5′
Mixtuur IV
Trompet 8′

Borstwerk (Swell)

Holpijp 8′
Fluit 4′
Prestant 2′
Cymbel III
Regaal 8′

Pedaal – Pedal

Subbas 16′
Octaafbas 8′
Bazuin 16′

Couplers

Swell to Great
Great to Pedal
Swell to Pedal

Other specifications – Equal temperament, 3” wind pressure, flexible, wind stabilizers, suspended tracker action, mechanical stop action, Tremolo.

First Presbyterian Church, Bowling Green, Ohio

Concern over the condition of the former 1922 Skinner organ prompted the Session in 1970 to seek outside advice. Three consultants working entirely independently of each other submitted evaluations which concurred that the organ’s tonal design, placement within the sanctuary, and physical condition did not merit any major revision or repair.

Consultants were Dr. Fenner Douglas, Professor of Organ, Oberlin College Conservatory of Music; Dr. Homer Blanchard, Ohio Wesleyan University; and Kurt F. Ruhland, The Ruhland Organ Co., Cleveland OH.

Both Drs. Fenner and Blanchard recommended investigation of a new instrument, free standing and more varied in tonal resources than the Skinner Organ, and one with tracker action.

Click here to learn more about the First Presbyterian Church case study.

Planning and Fund Development

The Session had started an organ fund in 1968 with money from bequests and funds from the congregation’s 125th anniversary celebration in 1980.

On November 2, 1980, a committee was established to set goals, timetables, and raise funds to acquire a new sanctuary organ. The committee reviewed the recommendations of the consultants and established specifications for the new instrument.

Bids were solicited from 10 organ builders and John Leek’s bid was selected after visiting his workshop in Oberlin. In 1981, a contract was signed with Mr. Leek.

Design, Materials, and Construction

John went out of his way to secure the best components and woods for the pipe organ. 2,000 board feet of white oak was obtained from Virginia for the case, while 25-year-old black walnut was used to contrast with the oak.

The walnut screen and pipe shades covering the upper portion of the visible pipes were designed by Charles Lakofsky. The back panels and doors have white oak frames and redwood panels to give the organ a slightly darker tonal character.

The metal pipes were made in the Netherlands, with visible pipes composed of 75% tin and 25% lead, while concealed pipes contain higher lead content. Wooden pipes were made in Germany, including the Subbass 16′ in white pine and the Bourdon 16′ in Honduras mahogany.

The blower was imported from Switzerland. John built the keyboard using North European beech for the frame, polished cow bone for the white keys, and carved African ebony for the black keys. Stop knobs and decorative inlays were turned from Turkish boxwood.

The organ consists of 17 stops, 22 ranks, and 1,106 pipes. Construction was completed, and a dedication recital was held on April 21, 1985.