Jeruzalemkerk, Rotterdam Kralingen completed
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Jeruzalemkerk, Rotterdam Kralingen completed

The Jerusalem Church was built in 1907 as a Reformed church. In 1910, the P. van Dam company from Leeuwarden installed a new organ in the church. It was a well-built organ with a beautiful front.

In 1955, this traditionally built organ was completely converted and expanded by the organ factory Valckx & Van Kouteren under the advice of the Reformed Organists' Association. The mechanical action was replaced by an electro-pneumatic one. Van Dam's original windchests and pipework were preserved. In recent years, people have increasingly been confronted with technical failures and wind leaks.

Various plans were developed, from a complete reconstruction of the Van Dam organ to restoration of the current instrument, in which the action would be completely replaced. Unfortunately, the costs for a complete reconstruction turned out to be far above budget, and it was decided, in consultation with the organ consultant Herman den Hollander (on behalf of the VOGG), to opt for a complete restoration of the Van Dam windchests, a restoration of the wind supply (where two bellows were re-trained) and the replacement of the electro-pneumatic drive for a new electric drive. The console was also completely renovated and the interior replaced with new one. The stability of the organ case was improved by volunteers from the church community under the advice of Van den Heuvel and advisor Den Hollander.

The organ was delivered on Tuesday, October 10, with Dick den Engelsman (VOGG) and local organists playing the organ.

For more information and photos click here.