A History of the Sipe Organ at First Presbyterian Church, Las Cruces NM

By Janet Loman

             In 1974, with the help of Elders Kennett Melgaard and Fred Cherye, a committee was formed to research the need for a new organ.  Ila Lee Fields, Choir Director, and Janet Loman, Organist, were also part of the committee. We never wavered in our commitment to procure a pipe organ for our church, for we knew that electronic organs, although less expensive initially, lacked longevity and had to be replaced every 20 years or so. In addition, we knew the sound quality of real pipes to be far superior, and felt that the congregation had a tradition that adhered to quality.

             We contacted experts in the field of organ building and traveled as a committee to nearby cities to hear other pipe organs.  We listened to recordings and sought opinions of other churches that had recently purchased an organ. We also traveled independently and heard other church organs during family vacations and other trips, gleaning information to be shared with the committee. We were fortunate that Fred Cherye, our chairman, had been through a purchase process at his former church, and thus knew how to proceed.

             We decided that, in order to procure an organ of quality while being careful with expenditures, we would find an organ builder who would be willing to use some of the better pipe work from the old organ, a conglomerate instrument of at least three different builders. We found this man in Robert Sipe, who had worked for years with the Aoelian-Skinner Organ Company in their mechanical action department and who lived in Dallas. Mechanical action means that the organ key action is operated mechanically rather than by electrical contacts. This type of organ is much more responsive to touch and has greater longevity.

             Early in 1975 the proposal to buy a new organ was put to a vote at the annual congregational meeting and it passed very encouragingly; approximately 78 to 3. We signed the contract with Robert Sipe, and were put on a waiting list for the instrument, Bob and his wife, Susan, came the summer of 1980 and installed the organ of almost 2,000 pipes in approximately 6 weeks. The cost of the organ was $109,200. It now appraises for approximately $450,000. Today the organ is almost 24 years old, and will last for many more years; in fact, the instrument will probably outlast the sanctuary building. A thorough cleaning of the organ chamber was done by Robert Sipe about 10 years ago. Since the renovation of the sanctuary roof last, year dust and debris had settled into the chamber, and the organ once again was in need of maintenance and attention. Mr. Sipe arrived in March to accomplish much of this. The remainder of the work will be done at a later date.