John Cornue 4/31 Hybrid

The story of John’s organ began as a dream: to build a pipe organ in his dad’s shop. Today, that dream has become a reality, and the instrument continues to grow.

The organ, situated just outside Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, currently has four manuals and 31 ranks, with plans to expand to about 50 ranks. John has been restoring and revitalizing various components of the instrument, sourcing parts from an impressive collection of builders.

This organ showcases a blend of craftsmanship, incorporating ranks and components from the renowned Wurlitzer company, along with selections from Wisconsin builders such as Wangerin of Milwaukee and Barton of Oshkosh, as well as other manufacturers.

Each rank has its own story, but together they create harmonious music. Despite being made by different builders, the various ranks combine to produce a sound with a unique Barton character.

A Barton at Its Core & The Gollnick Connection

At the heart of John’s organ is a Barton, a brand with deep roots in Wisconsin, as these organs were built in Oshkosh, WI. This particular organ originally started as a 2/6 Barton, which was installed in a theatre in Shorewood, Wisconsin. It later transitioned to a church before ultimately becoming part of Fred Gollnick’s home organ.

The Shorewood Barton

Fred’s father, Walter Gollnick, worked for the Barton Organ Company and may have helped install this very organ in Shorewood decades ago. Following in his father’s footsteps, Fred became an organ technician in Walworth County. He dedicated himself to building, improving, and preserving organs, including theatre organs.

Over the years, Fred expanded the Shorewood Barton organ from six ranks to 16, transforming it into a remarkable instrument within a small space. He frequently opened his home for events where fellow enthusiasts could either play the organ or listen, sharing his passion for these magnificent instruments with the community.

From Fred to John

When Fred passed away, his friend John Cornue inherited the Barton organ. It was a bittersweet moment for John. He had been dreaming of building his own organ and had started gathering the necessary components, but inheriting the Barton gave him a solid foundation to build upon.

Because Fred had maintained the instrument so well, John was able to incorporate the Barton chest and pipework into his main chamber. For years, he used the Barton console to control the organ while continuing to work on his current console.

The Barton became more than just another collection of pipes and components. It became a physical connection to the Gollnick family.

Building John’s Dream

Long before he acquired the Barton, John dreamed of having his ideal instrument. He began collecting chests, pipes, and other components needed to build a theatre pipe organ, gradually restoring these decades-old pieces to life in his spare time.

As the collection expanded, so did the need for more space. John and his father expanded their auto shop, nearly doubling its original size. This allowed them to accommodate both the organ and a workshop where John could continue restoring and building his instrument. This same shop is also where Dairyland has been working on the Style H project.

The result unites components from various manufacturers and eras — not the work of a single builder, but John’s own vision, brought together into one cohesive instrument.

The Kilgen Console

While the organ was still smaller and being played from the Barton console, John acquired and restored another part of his dream: the four-manual Kilgen console from the Piccadilly Theatre in Chicago.

This console is truly one of a kind. It is the only four-manual curved “horseshoe” console built by Kilgen. The other four-manual Kilgen consoles used the “wing” design with straight stop rails.

After the console was removed from the theatre, it was stored in a semi-trailer until John was able to save it. Extensive restoration work was then carried out on the rare console, bringing it back to playable condition.

Once the Kilgen console became playable, John connected it to the organ. It now serves as the organ’s current console while construction continues.

The Original Barton Console Moves On

Using the magnificent Kilgen console to control the organ, John faced a decision regarding the Barton console.

He ultimately decided to donate the Tibia and the console that once belonged to Fred Gollnick to the East Troy Trolley Museum. Both items had originally been paired together when they left the Barton factory and had been together for decades before finding their new home there.

Although the Barton console has moved on, its influence remains central to John’s organ — the Barton chest and pipework are still integral to the instrument today. And the other pipework was voiced to match the foundation of the “Barton sound.”

The legacy of the Gollnick family lives on through this instrument, honoring Walter’s craftsmanship, Fred’s dedication, and the generations of Wisconsin’s organ history it represents.

You can find additional information about the East Troy Railroad Museum.

Current Status of the Organ

Today, the organ is being played from the Kilgen console, but it is far from finished—as is often the case with ambitious pipe organ projects.

One of John’s current priorities is getting the combination action system up and running. This system allows an organist to set and recall combinations of stops, enabling quick changes in the organ’s sound during a performance.

John is also working to complete the remaining chambers as time and resources allow.

The organ is already an impressive instrument, but once the project is completed, it is expected to be truly magnificent. What started as a dream to build a pipe organ in his father’s shop has evolved into a unique instrument that combines Wisconsin’s organ history, rare components, and John’s vision for the future.

Most importantly, the organ is currently being played and appreciated as the dream continues to unfold.

John Cornue 4/31 Hybrid Organ Spec List