At the beginning of 1890, master organ builder Franc Goršič installed a new organ in the church of St. Michael in Mengeš, marking his 54th work. This is an important cultural, technical and historical instrument, crafted at the peak of Goršič’s creativity, just a year before his greatest work – the organ in the Ursuline Church in Ljubljana – was completed.
“The new organ for the Mengeš parish church was made by the master Fr. Goršič. The artists praise the work, which has 19 registers and various joints.”
Journal Zgodnja Danica, April 4, 1890
Comprising 19 registers on two manuals and a pedal, the organ has a total of 1,176 pipes, 307 wooden and 869 metal. The windchests are cone chests. The instrument is housed within a case crafted by Janez Vurnik Jr. from Radovljica. Representing a typical instrument of its era, it serves as a prime example of quality craftsmanship.
Photo: Uroš Urbanija
According to the information available so far, the organ has undergone three major interventions in its lifetime:
- 1938 – the installation of an electric blower for air supply (previously the bellows had to be driven by foot)
- 1952 – the organ extension with 6 registers with pneumatic windchests by the master Andrej Benda
- 1990 – organ builder Brane Košir from Sodražica restored the organ on the occasion of the organ’s 100th anniversary, removing the registers added by Andrej Benda
It is not known that the organ was ever completely restored in 133 years. However, it was restored in 1998 by the Škrabl Organ Workshop from Rogaška Slatina and is counted as one of their 66 opus.
Photo: Uroš Urbanija
Taken from the text by Uroš Urbanija
