H. A. Howell Pipe Organ, Dixon, Illinois

Rebuild by Fabry Inc., Antioch, Illinois 2022

2 Manuals, 14 Ranks, 32-note AGO Pedalboard

29 stops, 837 pipes
4” wind pressure
Peterson Solid State Rocker Tablets, Multi-Memory ICS-4000 Combination Action, Transposer

About the Installation

Originally installed in the First Presbyterian Church of Oregon, IL, the H.A. Howell Pipe Organ was generously donated to St. Laurence by Al and Jill Millhouse and Bill Mckay, who had purchased First Presbyterian to convert the building to a day-care facility. Although the pipe organ was in excellent condition, the day-care did not intend to use it.
St. Laurence entered into a contract with Fabry, Inc. to remove the instrument in 2021 and store it at their factory in Antioch, Illinois, until there was time to undertake the rebuild. Early in 2022, the instrument was transferred to Fabry’s shop facility to be re-engineered and have an ICS-4000 from Peterson installed. At that time, an additional donation made it possible for St. Laurence to purchase two used ranks from Fabry’s inventory to enhance the original specification: a 4’ Spitz Principal for the Swell division, and a 2-2/3’ Twelfth for the Great division with two new chest, bringing the instrument to its current total of 14 ranks.
The original installation in Oregon, IL had the instrument in a chamber situation with 17 principal pipes exposed in the façade. St. Laurence selected the current location in the choir loft after taking artistic, acoustic, and practical considerations, but which required a new design and installation of new casework and swell enclosure. David G. Fabry designed, built, and installed the beautiful new casework seen today, incorporating exposed pipes and details reflecting the church’s architecture.

About the Builder
Founded in 1955 by the first of 3 generations of craftsmen as the Midwest representatives for M.P. Möller, Fabry, Inc. continues to service over 350 contracted clients in Illinois and the surrounding states with tuning, voicing, and repair. At the shop facility in Antioch, Illinois, Fabry, Inc. also produces chestwork, casework, and consoles. Fabry, Inc. has great experience in work for a variety of pipe organ organizations and builders from all over the country. The Fabry team brought a combined knowledge of organ building and woodworking that made them the perfect choice for the St. Laurence Pipe Organ project.

Our pipe organ was blessed during Mass on Holy Thursday, April 14th, 2022. A dedication concert was held on June 26th, 2022. Details from the concert are to the right.