The Historic Union Sunday School Kimball Organ

The Union Sunday School was originally built as a Presbyterian Church in 1858. In the 1870s it became non-denominational and renamed the Union Sunday School. In 1896, Gov. and Mrs. Wm. Larrabee ordered a magnificent organ from the Kimball Company in Chicago for the Union Sunday School. Now completely restored and completely operational, it remains a showpiece of the town. The pressed-tin ceiling is original to the building. The drop lights were added after electricity was installed in 1910.Walls and windows are very plain, typical of a New England church. The divided sanctuary was used to separate the male and the female congregation. The building is now the property of the Iowa State Historical Society and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. It is currently used for organ recitals and Christmas Vesper Services. See our calendar of events for scheduled organ recitals and Vesper Services.

The decorative pipes are original in color and size.

The walnut case of the Kimball Pipe Organ measures 20 feet long, 11 feet deep and 7 1/2 feet high. The pipes extend up to make a height of more than 16 feet. Encased in a massive walnut cabinet the organ consists of two keyboards with 61 notes each and a flat pedal board of 30 notes and 27 sets of pipes. The instrument had to be hand-pumped until 1910, when an electri blower was installed. The organ can still be operated manually. The organ action is tubular pneumatic. Far Right: Close up of a free-standing altar. Before the organ came, the choir was in the space where the altar is now. The choir loft was then moved to the back of the church.

Organ enthusiasts will note that the pedals are not curved as they are in today's modern organs, thus making the playing of this organ difficult due to the wide stretch.