Chicago-Midwest ChapterOrgan Historical Society |
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Sauganash Community Church
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4541 West Peterson Avenue
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Chicago, Illinois
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In November of 1925 when Peterson Avenue was still very much a dirt road, a local clergyman named Perry Rice began to meet with several people who desired to create a church in the young and developing area called Sauganash. The Sauganash name actually comes from the Sauganash Indian Tribe and its leader Chief Sauganash commonly known by his English name of Billy Caldwell. Most people will recognize this name with the street by the same name and the nearby "Billy Caldwell Country Club" a few blocks away. Rev. Rice had previously performed a survey of the area to see if there were individuals who would like to build a church of his denomination. Finding no adherents in his religious denomination, he assisted in the beginning of this community church - a church that would become a meeting ground for persons of various Christian backgrounds. A group of 17 persons signed the Constitution of the new church on June 25, 1926 as Charter Members. During the early years the church members met in a storefront at the corner of Peterson and Rogers just east of the present church site. During 1927-1928 the congregation moved to the present Annex Building (across the street) for services. Interestingly, the Annex had first been a real estate office for the Sauganash development, and then later it became a community center. The church worshipped at the annex for many years until moving to its present edifice in 1940. The congregation grew substantially during the 47 1/2-year pastorate of Rev. Cyril K. Richard - a rarity in American Church History. The members of Sauganash signed a contract with M. P. Moeller Organ Company on September 30, 1955 with complete installation of the organ mandated by September 30, 1956. M. P. Moeller Organ Company Opus 8912 was installed for $30,184.00. |
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Present specification of M. P. Moeller Organ Company Opus 8912: |
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Great Organ - Manual II: MIDI on Great |
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Swell Organ - Manual III: MIDI on Swell
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Choir Organ - Manual I: MIDI on Choir
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Pedal Organ: MIDI on Pedal |
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Accessories: 8 General Pistons (thumb - 4 under Manual III - 4 under Manual II Swell to Pedal (thumb - under Manual III) Swell Expression Shoe Toe Studs:
Couplers: Swell to Great 16' Swell to Choir 16' Indicator Lights under Couplers: Crescendo Tutti Data Filer by Peterson Electronics
(Information resourced from "History of Sauganash Community Church 1996" and on site visit) |