The Leeflang organ in the Kruiskerk of Meppel has been overhauled from September to December 2011 .
The organ was built in 1963 under the advice of D.W.L. Milo and W. Houtman behalf of the Reformed Organists Association. The church was built as the second church Reformed Church and was called Nieuwe Kerk. In 1994 the church was renamed Kruiskerk when moving from Reformed in Liberated Reformed hands.
In 2007, the Kruiskerk was drastically remodeled. A modern auditorium was added and the sanctuary redecorated, the number of seats were increased after installing larger galleries. From that moment all the churches of Meppel redeemed together in this building.
The Leeflang organ of the Kruiskerk was experienced as unsatisfactory by the organists and church members due to the thin sound and dominating treble. Also suitable solo voices were missed. The church considered replacing the whole instrument, or the possible relocation of the organ of the Opstandings Kerk. Even as electronic organs came into view.
In 2006, Wietse Meinardi was appointed as consultant. He advised to keep the instrument because it has good quality: notably the flute stops distinguished themselves in a positive way. He suggested to respect the neo-baroque character but to make a few changes in the stop list. He also advised to correct the voicing, especially the overly explosive speech of the principals and the weak pedal.
This advice is followed. The Scherp of the Rugwerk is replaced by a new Nasard 2 2/3, the Tertiaan II by a Sesquialter I-II. The composition of the Mixture was slightly modified. Also the horizontal Trumpet 8 ' was, rebuilt by Van den Heuvel, a new resonator, new tongues, shallots and blocks were installed. The stop has changed radically and now blends well with the rest of the organ.
The voicing of the whole organ is corrected but it was expressly aimed not to remove all the neo-Baroque features: there is still noticeable speech but less aggressive than before. The carrying capacity of the pedal was enhanced by increasing the wind pressure slightly. Finally the organ was mechanically checked and re-regulated after repair. Also the defect Tremulant was replaced.
The result is that the organ is suitable for its primary purpose, including more different sound variations. The fine church acoustics is a positive contribution to the sound and makes the instrument also good to use for concerts.
On Friday 27 January 2012, the organ was inaugurated, during a concert by Wietse Meinardi.