The Historic Kilgen Tracker Organ at Christ Episcopal Church
Discover the history of the George Kilgen & Son tracker organ at Christ Episcopal Church in Eastport, Maine. Spanning over 150 years of musical history.
Built in 1875 in St. Louis, Missouri, our pipe organ is a historically significant masterpiece. The Kilgen family’s legendary organ-building heritage dates back to the 17th century. Today, original late-19th-century Kilgen tracker organs are exceptionally rare treasures cataloged in the Historic Organ Database by the Organ Historical Society.
- Design: A simple, powerful build featuring one manual and seven stops, engineered specifically to accompany traditional church hymns.
- Heritage: Before coming to Down East Maine, the instrument served Evangelical German Lutheran, Latvian, and Greek Orthodox congregations in Lincoln, Nebraska. [
A Down East Maine Community Restoration Project
In 2001, former music director Gregory Noyes and organ builder Timothy Smith purchased the antique organ on eBay. Moving the instrument from Nebraska to Eastport, Maine, sparked an incredible local collaboration: [1]
- Restoration: Parishioners cleaned pipes while local artisans volunteered their skills to rework the pedal board and refurbish the outer case.
- Dedication: Timothy Smith meticulously rebuilt the organ inside our church sanctuary, and it was dedicated on October 20, 2002.
Experience Our Music Ministry in Eastport, Maine
Under the guidance of our Director of Music and Organist, Brian L. Roderick previously the Director of music at Grace Episcopal in New Bedford, MA, the historic organ continues to enrich our weekly Christian worship services.
We invite you to hear this beautiful piece of musical history live. Join us at 21 Key Street for Sunday services, or connect with our congregation online.