J. D. Michalec
Pipe Organs
Our Projects
1969 Allen Analog Custom
St Peter's United Church of Christ - Chicago, IL
Our first project, completed in October 2009. The organ had several blown speakers, resulting in distortion and poor sound quality. Speakers were replaced, amplifiers were rewired, and the instrument was completely revoiced.
1969 3-Manual Allen Organ Console
The attic where the computer and speakers are located.
Dennis Northway organist for the concert, and Jason Michalec.
1969 3-Manual Allen Organ Console
1970 Sauter Pipe/Digital Hybrid
St. Tribious Catholic Church - Chicago, IL
Our first pipe organ project, completed in July 2010. All wind reservoirs were rebuilt & releathered, and the electro-pneumatic action was upgraded to fully electric action.
Cleaning the reservoir.
Cleaning the reservoir.
Before rebuilding.
Cleaning the reservoir.
1927 M. P. Moller Opus 4904
Tabor Lutheran Church - Chicago, IL
Years of neglect caused the electro-pneumatic combination action to fail in the console. after cleaning the tripper system, releathering the static reservoir, and cleaning years of dust & grime, we were able to restore the console back to a fully operational state.
What came out.
Allen MADC (Refurbished)
Markham Lutheran Church - Markham, IL
In need of an upgrade, a used Allen MADC was located & installed in the church, replacing an aging Analog Allen with a princess pedal board. Upon installation, several potentiometers were replaced & electronics cleaned to ensure reliable operation for years to come.
Console in the repair shop.
Organ arrives for installation.
A very happy Rev. Schneekloth, Jason Michalec, and D. Josiah Montgomery at the dedication service.
Console in the repair shop.
1991 Berghaus
St. Paul Lutheran Church - Decatur, IL
Upon completion of a new church building, the pipe organ needed to be relocated from the old building as well. All casework, pipes, & electronics were relocated to the new building. New slider motors and other modifications were required while installing the organ in its new home. Completed in cooperation with Schneider Pipe Organs of Kenney, Illinois.
At the old Wood St location.
Pipes before removal.
Last part of the organ to be dismantled.
At the old Wood St location.
Staging the organ parts.
Staging the organ parts.
Staging the organ parts.
1929 M. P. Moller Opus 5183
Concordia Lutheran Church - Chicago, IL
Another successful tripper system restoration. Electronics were cleaned and replaced to bring the organ back to an operational state. Much of the time & labor for this project was donated to help the congregation with their "Rebuild the Steeple" fundraising event.
Cleaning the trippers in the organ console. John Michael Jurica and Jason Michalec
Rebuild the Steeple!
Dirty and Clean Trippers.
Cleaning the trippers in the organ console. John Michael Jurica and Jason Michalec
1928 E. M. Skinner Opus 685
University Church - Chicago, IL
A long term restoration project. Reservoirs have been rebuilt, and lead tubes have been re-sealed for individual pneumatic action. Work continues as the electro-pneumatic combination action is restored and other electrical gremlins worked out.
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Torn Setter Board Pneumatic.
Crumbling Setterboard Pneumatics.
Magnets reinstalled to activate the newly rebuilt electro-pneumatic action.
Torn Setter Board Pneumatic.
1990 Wicks
St. Paul's Episcopal Church - Munster, IN
A small but powerful organ that proved to be too much for the space. The trumpet was removed & re-voiced, resulting in a much more balanced sound. Some collapsed pipes were also repaired.
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1968 Wicks Opus 4822
St. Paul Lutheran Church - Thornton, IL
Though the church building was constructed in 2002, an organ was not installed until 2015. A used Wicks organ was purchased from a church in Wisconsin, and subsequently moved & installed into St. Paul's facility. The organ was rededicated on Easter Sunday 2015.
Removal underway.
Taking down the wiring.
Sad to see this. Hopefully a new organ comes soon.
Removal underway.
Coming down off the truck.
Organ staged for installation.
Installed and ready for Easter Sunday 2015.
Coming down off the truck.