Southminster Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, Pa.  The object of this project was to transform paneling into an organ chest to receive a new Austin Pipe organ.  The paneling on the wall remained and the curved portion and that above were built new, installed and finished to match.

We obtained the pick of the kiln for this lumber.  The 4″ thick walnut was virtually sap free and was some of the best we’d seen in years.  The table tops were veneered over custom 1-1/2″ plywood with ebony, maple and nickel detailing.  Our work for this church included an Altar, Ambo, Baptismal Font, Stations of the Cross and several tables.

The design was by Architect William Brocious (webrocious@verizon.net). Weaver Iron Works (weaverironworks@yahoo.com) provided and installed the iron. The iron was powder coated a metallic gray, but certain items were nickel plated for a stunning effect.

This organ chest was in dire need of attention.  The finish was bad, there had been a door cut in one of the panels, and the main urn in the front was severely cracked.  Our job was to prepare it to accept a new Cassavant Organ.  This required removal from the site, repairing, stripping and refinishing, and adding 18″ in the depth.  The installation took place in synchronization with Cassavant.

As part of the 2004 Restoration, Wilson & McCracken built all the interior millwork.   Working with The Design Alliance Architects, the wainscoting was designed with special shop fabricated cope joints to facilitate accurate and speedy installation.

The project was photographed for Traditional Building Magazine’s 2004 Religious Properties Awards.