The Salt Lake Tabernacle Organ: Celebrating 150 Years

Sixteen-year-old Joseph Daynes played the unfinished organ with only 700 pipes, 2 manuals, 27 pedals, and 12 working stops (35 stops planned) for its debut at the October general conference.

Ralph Ramsey completed the wood casing around the organ, which also received a third manual and 1,200 additional pipes.

John Taylor dedicated the Tabernacle and organ.

Niels Johnson, one of the original assistants to Joseph Ridges, assumed responsibility of the organ. He added 1,300 pipes, totaling 2,648 pipes and 57 stops.

Wilford Woodruff dedicated the Salt Lake Temple.

Electric power replaced the hydraulic motor of the organ.

The Kimball Organ Company rebuilt the organ with a freestanding console. By December there were approximately 3,600 pipes and 4 manuals.

Daily organ recitals began on Temple Square.

Columbia Phonograph Company created the first recording of the Tabernacle Choir and organ.

The Church contracted with the Austin Organ Company to replace the Kimball organ. This upgrade expanded the casing around the pipes 15 feet on each side (30 feet total). The new organ had 32 pedals and 94 stops.

KZN radio (forerunner of KSL) began broadcasting from Salt Lake City.

The Austin Organ Company added about 1,500 pipes to the organ.

First broadcast of “Music and the Spoken Word” aired from the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City.

Renovation of the Tabernacle organ enlarged it to include over 9,000 pipes.

The Aeolian-Skinner Organ Company completed the construction of a new organ with 10,814 pipes, 5 manuals, 137 stops, and 189 ranks.

Canadian firm Casavant Frères made tonal modifications to the organ.

Schoenstein & Company undertook a comprehensive renovation of the organ, resulting in the organ having 11,623 pipes, 147 stops, and 206 ranks.

The organ console was shipped to San Francisco for a thorough renovation including new keyboards.

The upgraded console was returned to the Tabernacle.

The Organ Historical Society recognized the Tabernacle organ for its historical significance.

The Salt Lake Tabernacle was renovated and rededicated.