St. Armands church celebrates installation of pipe organ years in the making

With approximately 2,200 individual pipes, the newly installed organ at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church is quite the instrument to behold.

Church members recently celebrated the culmination of a project several years in the making — a feat with a commemorative visit from a very special guest before long.

Michael Bodnyk, minister of music and director of operations, said of the installation, "Every part is handmade, and this is a real gift to the church and the community."

Schantz Organ Company, an Ohio-based business founded in 1873, did the design, building and installation. 

Vice President Jeffrey Dexter said it took about two weeks for the meticulous team to place all the pieces, which include 29 stops, 35 ranks of pipes, and four keyboards counting the one operated by foot.

All these pieces contribute different pitches and tampers, leading to endless possibilities when creating different sounds.

"It's a pretty complex and intricate piece of machinery, as well as being a musical instrument," Dexter said.

As long as the church maintains it, such a piece can last for centuries, he said.

Church leaders didn't make the selection of a designer lightly. 

Accompanist Kris Soderman said the church narrowed the choices down to three finalists, one of which was based in Italy and the other in Iowa. 

"I think it came out really beautifully," Bodnyk said. "We're so happy with the way it compliments the space, which is one of the reasons we went with this particular builder's design."

Former board president Ernie Smith said it was a lengthy process to go from idea to installation, but he is joyful to see the project finished.

Given the expansiveness of the organ, it can take a few months before it fully "settles in" to its true sound, Bodnyk explained. But he did offer a brief demonstration of the organ's capabilities, playing a tune that trilled into the rafters.

Every stop generates a unique sound.

"You can make it sound like a flute, or a trumpet, or really a whole orchestra," he said with each adjustment. "You can even throw the sound around the room because of the division of the pipes."

Photo by Dana Kampa

The minister said plenty of thought went into the layout of the pipes, which include a set of "festival trumpet" gold pipes donated by congregation members Art and Helen Kuh in 2007. Those legacy pieces, which Schantz refurbished, have a special place beneath the stained-glass window near the church's ceiling, with the cross at the center.

"Their gift is still living on, which is wonderful," Bodnyk said.

Church member John Teller said one of the first things he did post installation was to head outside to hear the music radiate beyond the church's walls.

Barbara Teller added, "It gives you goosebumps."

Former board president Ernie Smith said organizers couldn't be more pleased with the project. It was a significant undertaking, requiring both time and financial investments. He said community members should be proud of their collective efforts to bring this asset to St. Armands.

John added, "There were a lot of personal donations that supported this whole process."

Barbara Teller credited Bodnyk for being a driving force in actually materializing the idea, and she anticipates it will be a boon for the entire community.

Bodnyk noted it was challenging for the church to navigate installing the organ while still working to finish rebuilding from hurricanes Helene and Milton.

However, hearing those first notes emitting from the fully assembled organ was sweet music to the ears.

At the official dedication recital in early 2026, one of the main organists at Notre-Dame de Paris will play the new organ.

The cathedral's own "Grand Organ" has existed since 1730, surviving centuries of revolutions and renovations. 

It is the largest in France and fortunately escaped significant harm during the infamous 2019 fire. People celebrated worldwide as the fully restored organ once again rang out first the first time last December.

Community feature

Bodnyk said the church looks forward to seeing the pipe organ become a significant attraction for the community, drawing visiting musicians and instrument aficionados from far and wide.

He said the church also plans to support the next generation of organists with lessons, scholarships, and, most importantly, access to the instrument. 

"We're going to have a whole series of programs," he said.

Bodnyk has been playing at St. Armands since 2018, joining then-main organist Lois Habib. Habib, who served in the role for nearly three decades before stepping down in 2021, passed away in recent months.

Bodnyk said he looks forward to continuing to promote a legacy of trained organists.

Photo by Dana Kampa

With this new, high-quality organ at its disposal, the church hopes to welcome plenty of visiting artists.

Dexter, who is also the tonal director at Schantz and has worked with the company since 1993, said one of the first reactions people often have to learning his profession is, "You mean they still build those?"

But he said this unique industry is alive and well, especially considering they have also installed the organs at Siesta Key Chapel and other locations in Florida. 

"The pipe organ has been so closely mated with churches, both Christian and Jewish," he said. "It can fill that role, but it can also be part of the wider arts community in an area."

Smith said the church's investment in such a piece also sends a broader message.

"It says we're here for good," he explained. "You don't make this kind of commitment that is going to be for 50, 80, 100 years if you aren't sure what's going to happen with the church. This is permanent."

There is plenty to learn about the pipe organ, which came with a manual of more than 150 pages, but the church has plenty of time to get to know all the ins and outs.

Those interested in seeing the organ can visit the church at its 9 a.m. or 11 a.m. Sunday services, which continue until the church condenses to one 10 a.m. service in June.