In 1998 the Organ Selection Committee, led by Dr. James D. Whitmire, Minister, Music, began its search for an organ capable of leading congregational singing and augmenting our Music Ministry.
In the evening Worship Service on May 21, 2000, the Bellevue family dedicated our brand new custom-made Allen Digital Organ. The dedication service was a wonderful Worship Service that utilized the organ and showed how it complements the choir, orchestra, piano, brass ensemble, and handbells, as well as how it stands alone.
The organ enhances Bellevue’s Music Ministry by supporting congregational singing and providing sensitive accompaniment of choirs, vocalists, and instrumentalists. It also provides a spiritual environment for worship, prayer, communion, and commitment; supports the varied styles of the church’s diverse music literature—from Bach and Beethoven to traditional hymns, southern gospel, and contemporary praise and worship; and provides festive music to celebrate weddings and other occasions. Any composition ever written for organ can be played on this grand concert instrument.
Carefully planned and designed for our congregation, the new digital organ utilizes 365 stop controls and employs more than 250 speaker cabinets located in seven chambers throughout the Worship Center. To command all the resources of the world’s largest digital organ, the instrument requires the massive console—five keyboards and pedalboards, 320 drawknobs, and over 200 other controls.