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Members agreed that the restoration would not be complete, until the 1926 Kilgen was replaced with an organ that was fitting for the beauty and elegance of the 1853 English Gothic church. All knew that it would be an extensive final project.
In 1996 a committee was formed to begin researching the best type of organ to replace the Kilgen. Electronic, pipe organs, and combination organs were considered. The committee determined that Old St. Vincent's deserved a "pure" pipe organ.
With Dr. Gary Miller serving as consultant for the group, much time and consideration was given to the decision to invite formal proposals from five pipe organ companies. All came to OSV and made their presentations. Two of those became finalists; St. Louis Organ Company and Schantz Organ Company of Orrville, Ohio. It was determined that the Schantz proposal was best suited for our choir loft and for Old St. Vincent's Church.
The specialized construction took one year, after the decision was made to award the contract to Schantz. During that time funding raising once again went into full force; the final price tag of $275,000 seemed a big hurdle for our small group. As in the past, our prayers were answered, and diligent work was again successful.
The old organ was removed piece by piece by volunteers and donated to the former Ursaline Chapel in Ironton Missouri.
The installation of the Schantz organ was completed in early 2002.
