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Brief History of the 'Mighty Wurlitzer' Our 'Mighty Wurlitzer' Theatre Pipe Organ started life in November of 1914 in the Liberty Theatre in Seattle, WA. It is Opus #42 and a proto-type of the large, deluxe Paramount and Crawford special models (designed by Jesse Crawford - the "Poet of the Pipe Organ") that were to come along in the big, new cinema palaces. The American Theatre Organ Society has credited our organ with being the one that started the theatre organ movement that swept the country until the advent of talking picture shows. The organ was the sound creator for silent movies and the era came to a sudden halt in the late 20's and early 30's. Several famous men played this instrument such as Oliver Wallace who became the first music director for Walt Disney and Albert Hay Malotte who composed the Lord's Prayer. Jensen and Von Herberg paid $27,000 for the organ in 1914 exclusive of transportation and installation. It was rescued in 1959 by the organ professor and class from Pacific Lutheran University just prior to the demolition of the Liberty Theatre. Spokane First Church of the Nazarene bought it from PLU in 1973 and it was installed in our new church in 1974. The first service was February 10, 1974. The organ had never been refurbished until we started a several phase renovation in June of 2006. Phase one, which consisted of washing all metal pipes, cleaning and inspecting all wooden pipes, relocating and repairing several chests and replacing hundreds of magnet caps under the pipe chests, is finished. The work is being done by organ technician Clint Meadway and associate Russ Evans of Seattle. Phase two consisted of replacing the relay (electronic brain) and capture action with digital units. Since the church is in a campaign to pay off the debt of the Family Life Center/Gymnasium all monies to facilitate the renovation project come from donations both from within and without the church. Costly though it may seem, early proposals that we got put the first phase at $60,000. We paid $20,000 and got a receipt for $49,600 marked "Paid in Full". The relay proposal was $38,000. Our relay cost $12,500 with installation cost of $10,000. God is doing wonders for our organ. There are two phases left for the future. Our dream is to have the organ in pristine condition to permit concerts by the country's professional theatre organ concert artists and to record CD's for sale to help with the maintenance and upkeep.
For information contact: Ken Fuller - Principal Organist Spokane First Church of the Nazarene 9004 N. Country Homes Blvd. Spokane, WA 99218 Church (509) 467-8986 Cell Phone (509) 999-2057
The 'Mighty Wurlitzer' at home at Spokane 1st Nazarene Friends of the Wurlitzer 'Friends of the Wurlitzer' was created because many outside the church expressed an interest in the Wurlitzer organ. Our desire is to share with the community our historic instrument, the oldest that we know of in public service. 'Friends of the Wurlitzer' provides a chance for all who are interested in the Theatre Organ to come together once a quarter for a mini-concert just for members (and their friends). Members can experience the grandeur of the Mighty Wurlitzer; you may tour the blower room and for those who wish to climb the ladder, the pipe chambers, where you can view pipes from the size of a small pencil up to the 32 foot wooden diaphones standing behind the pipe chambers. There is no cost to belong to 'Friends of the Wurlitzer', however, we have organized a chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society and are encouraging as many as will to join with us in the Spokane First Nazarene chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society. Our Wurlitzer is being refurbished little by little strictly by donations from within and without the church. This is the first complete refurbish since it was installed in the Liberty Theatre in Seattle in 1914. The pipes have all been cleaned, chests repaired, new armatures installed and a new relay (digital brain) has been installed. Our two organ techs have donated over $30,000 in labor and materials. We are blessed. Anyone wishing to make a tax deductible donation to the organ fund may send it to First Nazarene Church, marked 'Organ Fund' at 9004 N. Country Homes Blvd., Spokane, WA 99218. It would be greatly appreciated.
Ken Fuller - Principal Organist
Ken Fuller – Bio Ken Fuller was born in Seattle, Washington and started piano study at age four with his mother who was a graduate of the Findlay Music Conservatory in Findlay, Ohio. At age five he began studies with Ms. Marguerite Hood, a prominent teacher at the time. On trips to town he would beg to stop and listen to a blind man playing accordion in front of the Penney’s store. He became fascinated with the accordion and started studies with Walter Schelp. Ken auditioned to appear on a talent show at the Florence Theatre and won the audition by playing patriotic numbers. He appeared on another talent show at the Palomar Theatre and was asked to remain as a weekly appearing artist. This led to a steady spot on the “Uncle Frank’s Children’s Hour over KOMO and also the “Dam Bar Program” sponsored by the Thompson Candy Co. over KOL. By age seven Ken was appearing several times a week on radio and for clubs. He was accepted for studies with Frank Iaccolucci, one of the top accordionists in the nation and continued piano with William Coburn, a known composer of the day. Ken was invited to join a USO troupe to entertain servicemen at the various military installations and amassed several thousand hours of service over the next decade. Ken listened to the theatre organ played at noon at the Rhoades department store and was smitten with the sound, however, the Hammond was affordable and it became the compromise. Mother and teachers had classical plans, but Ken was enamored with Jazz and the music of the day, so piano was dropped in favor of the accordion. Ken would leave the radio on all night and learned all the contemporary songs of the day. As time went on, with a little help from false ID he played with the Bob Harvey Orchestra at the Trianon Ballroom; Jackie Souders Orchestra and appeared with the late Louis Armstrong at the Palomar Theatre. Ken appeared in concert with Anthony Galla-Rinni at the Women’s Century Theatre and the following year with Charles Magnante. Upon graduation from high school Ken was recruited by the late Larry Laprise of the Sun Valley Trio and went to Sun Valley as accordionist and arranger. In 1957 Ken moved to the Inland Empire and taught and played, appearing with Eddy Peabody, the Banjo King. He started a sales career with Music City Spokane selling organs and pianos. Ken was hired to accompany Norma Zimmer at the Spokane Opera House and opened for Sonny & Cher at the Great Falls Fair. In 1958 Ken married his wife, Carol, who was a member of the First Nazarene Church. He was asked to take over the organ responsibilities until they could secure an organist. In 1973 the church purchased the famous Liberty Theatre organ from Pacific Lutheran University and Ken’s life long dream came true - he is the principal organist and the church is refurbishing the wonderful 'Mighty Wurlitzer'.
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