First Christian Reformed Church

605 Broadway Street
Pella, IA 50219


Builder: Gratian, 1893
Manuals:
Ranks:
Action:

Notes: Identified through online information from T. Daniel Hancock (2012).

In "The Pella Weekly Herald, June 9, 1893," the front page reports: "Dedication. Pipe Organ. The people of Pella have watched with much interest the building of the pipe organ in the first Reformed church, and when the doors were thrown open last Thursday, an appreciative audience gathered to listen to the excellent music furnished. The builder, Prof. Gratian, handled the keys and very finely brought out the full and inspiring power of the instrument. The afternoon exercises were given up to Psalms and organ recitals, led by Mr. John G. Thomassen. In the evening a very large audience gathered, so great that standing room was at a premium. ...The selections were beautifully brought out and every person present speaks in very pleasing words of the evenings excercises. Prof. Gratian in his organ selections, Mr. B.F. Duncan in his tenor solos, and Miss Genevieve Shafer in her musical contralto solos, were of the highest order and our people appreciated the efforts of these Des Moines people in adding so much to the pleasure of the occasion. The entire program of fourteen numbers was most excellently rendered and appreciated."

Organ Historical Society as of 2012.