History of the 1876 George Stevens Tracker Organ

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church

Geneseo, Illinois

This George Stevens 13 Rank Tracker organ was originally purchased by the Unitarian Church in 1876 and installed in their new building at 201 West North Street, Geneseo, Illinois.  In the 1920s, the Episcopal Diocese of Quincy purchased the property and founded Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.  The organ was originally installed in the center on the front wall of the church but when the Episcopal Church purchased the property, the organ was then moved to its final position on the west wall.  Minor changes were made in the organ; the hand pump bellows was removed and a Spencer ½ hp blower installed.  The organ served Holy Trinity Parish well from that point until November 2005 a vandal set the church on fire and seriously damaged the building.

The Church sanctuary was considerably larger than the congregation needed.  The building was damaged severely enough to warrant replacement.  A new sanctuary will be considerably smaller and would not possibly house this very nice mechanical action historic organ.  The organ has been removed in its entirety and is safely in storage at Levsen Organ Company waiting for a new home.