As the Irvine Memorial Chapel enters its second century, it is fitting that the majestic Chapel organ will sound as good as new for the celebrations—and for the next 100 years.

The organ, which was originally manufactured and installed by the E.M. Skinner Organ Company, has received a full restoration and rebuild. The project was made possible through the generosity of former U.S. Ambassador Nicholas Taubman ’53 and his wife, Eugenia “Jenny” Taubman. A Regent President Emeritus, Taubman was president of the Academy’s Board from 1990 to 1994.

“It’s hard to even think of the words to describe what it will be like to play [the newly restored organ],” said James Brinson, longtime school organist and faculty member, as work was being completed this spring on the rebuild, which began during the summer of 2025 (though the organ remained playable for events during the first portion of the restoration). “I know I’ll be happy. One thing that has helped over the years is that the school has had a very generous endowed organ maintenance fund.”

The rebuild was completed by Lewis & Hitchcock Inc., which has performed regular maintenance and repairs on the organ for many years (both under its current name and while doing business as the Greencastle-based firm Lawless & Associates, which became part of Lewis & Hitchcock in 2017). The work includes completely rebuilt divisions within the organ, along with new windchests, a new keyboard, new pedalboards, and a new control system—and also the reinstallation of a newly discovered rank of pipes which were being stored in the Chapel and found during the restoration process. The new rank adds to the organ’s total count of approximately 4,000 pipes, and Brinson said that its reinstallation will “change the color of the organ and the richness of the ensemble.”

For information about supporting future maintenance for the Chapel organ and the Chapel itself, please contact John Richardson, chief advancement officer, at richardsonj@mercersburg.edu. 

– Lee Owen P ’24