Bringing the sweet sounds of pipe organ back to the Coppertop

The First United Methodist Church in Duluth brought music back to the walls of the Coppertop with a rededication concert for their pipe organ held on Sunday, November 4. The organ was originally installed by Austin Organs in 1968, and given as a memorial to Chester and Clara Congdon by their surviving family.

Today, the organ looks refreshed, thanks to Robert D. Hoppe & Associates of Algoma, WI. Renovations have added some new features to the organ, which features over 3,000 pipes. Those include a new set of facade pipes attached to the balcony wall, a new control system with a touch screen, tonal revisions, and console rebuilding. The pipe organ also has 3 manuals, 43 stops, and 56 ranks, some made from metal and others from wood.

The organist of the night is Isabelle Demers. She’s a world-renowned musician and artist traveling through Europe, Oman, Australia, etc. Music Director of the First United Methodist Church, Velda Bell, speaks highly of her. “She uses phenomenal techniques, you can see her arms and legs all flying at once,” said Bell.

If you want more information about the November 3rd rededication concert, click here.