From what I understand, there are at least two major types of pipe organ: the theater organ and the church organ. The difference mainly lies in the types of sto

From what I understand, there are at least two major types of pipe organ: the theater organ and the church organ. The difference mainly lies in the types of stops and sounds that can be elicited, and of course, if this organ is suitable for the theater, then it may not be of much use to a church. Not even a church with several million bucks in their Music Ministry fund. My church featured a very small vintage pipe organ for several years, but its position in the choir loft and complete lack of climate control made it a great burden of maintenance. Eventually the pastor relented, and purchased an electronic MIDI-based organ, which sonically could run rings around the old mechanical one.