Kessler Organ #45 was the first pipe organ on the west coast of North America. Manufactured in 1844 in Estonia at the Ernst Kessler Organ Works and shipped to Sitka in 1846, it served the
Lutheran congregation established in 1840 on this site.
Although the original Finnish-Lutheran Church was torn down in 1888, the Kessler was saved by local Lutherans, including one Mr. Schaap, a member of the Alaska Historical Society. It was moved into the Sheldon Jackson Museum (Left) where it remained until 1983, when it was returned to Sitka Lutheran Church. The museum's display included the original pulpit, altar rail, and other artifacts from the 1840's church.
Pasi Comments on the Kessler
"The mechanics of the organ, the wooden pieces that translate motion of the keys into airflow to the pipes, are still essentially intact.
The wood joints that you can see in there, the dovetail joinery, that was made by hand. 150 years ago they didn't have machines to do that kind of thing and they were handmade a hundred percent. I mean, they were just perfect.
It was made for shipping. Otherwise some of the parts would never have been built this way. So that makes it very special."
After the 1993 fire which damaged it, Martin
Pasi, Master Organ-builder assessed the damage.
Though the instrument's casing was severely charred in the blaze, some wooden pipes damaged as well as many of the metal pipes, Pasi was undaunted by the prospects for restoration.
The Kessler heads for its home in the balcony.
Today, the Kessler continues to play an important role at Sitka Lutheran Church. Upon completion of Pasi's masterful restoration, the instrument was placed in its "Swallow's Nest" (left) in the sanctuary.
Sitka Lutheran Church
• 224 Lincoln St. • PO Box 598 • Sitka AK 99835
Office phone: 907.747.3338 Office
E-mail • Last updated:
04/02/2008
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