The story of John's organ began as a dream to build a pipe organ in his dad's shop, and it has now become a reality.
The organ currently has four manuals and 31 ranks, with plans to expand to approximately 50 ranks. John has been restoring and revitalizing various components of the instrument to bring it to life. This organ features parts and ranks from two Wisconsin organ builders, Wangerin in Milwaukee and Barton in Oshkosh, as well as from Illinois builders such as Kimball and Wicks. Additionally, the organ contains pipes and components from Wurlitzer and a few other manufacturers.
Each rank has its own story, but together they create beautiful music. Despite the diversity among pipe builders, they unite to produce a sound reminiscent of Barton.
The organ currently has four manuals and 31 ranks, with plans to expand to approximately 50 ranks. John has been restoring and revitalizing various components of the instrument to bring it to life. This organ features parts and ranks from two Wisconsin organ builders, Wangerin in Milwaukee and Barton in Oshkosh, as well as from Illinois builders such as Kimball and Wicks. Additionally, the organ contains pipes and components from Wurlitzer and a few other manufacturers.
Each rank has its own story, but together they create beautiful music. Despite the diversity among pipe builders, they unite to produce a sound reminiscent of Barton.
A Barton In Its Core & The Gollnick Connetion
The core of John's organ has deep roots in Wisconsin. Part of the organ, which started life as a 2/6 Barton organ originally installed in a theater in Shorewood, Wisconsin. It was later used in a church before reaching Fred Gollnick's home, creating a connection between two generations.
Fred's father, Walter Gollnick, worked for the Barton Organ Company and may have been involved in installing this very organ in Shorewood decades ago. Following in his father's footsteps, Fred became an organ technician in Walworth County, dedicating himself to building, improving, and preserving organs, including theater organs.
Over the years, Fred expanded the Shorewood Barton from 6 ranks to 16, transforming it into a remarkable instrument. He regularly opened his home for events where fellow enthusiasts could play or simply listen, sharing his passion for these magnificent instruments with the community.
Fred's father, Walter Gollnick, worked for the Barton Organ Company and may have been involved in installing this very organ in Shorewood decades ago. Following in his father's footsteps, Fred became an organ technician in Walworth County, dedicating himself to building, improving, and preserving organs, including theater organs.
Over the years, Fred expanded the Shorewood Barton from 6 ranks to 16, transforming it into a remarkable instrument. He regularly opened his home for events where fellow enthusiasts could play or simply listen, sharing his passion for these magnificent instruments with the community.
Kay McAbee playing the Barton owned by Fred Gollinick in his home.
When Fred passed away, his friend John Cornue inherited the Barton organ. It was a bittersweet transition. John had been dreaming of building his own organ and had already begun gathering parts, but the Barton provided him with a solid foundation on which to build. Because Fred had maintained it so well, John was able to incorporate the Bartons' chest and pipework into his main chamber, using the Bartons' console to control the organ for years while he worked on his own console project.
The Barton tibia rank that originally left the factory with that Shorewood console eventually found a new home at the East Troy Trolley Museum, thanks to John's generosity. But the Gollnick family's legacy lives on in John's organ—a living tribute to Walter's craftsmanship, Fred's dedication, and the three generations of Wisconsin organ history connected through this remarkable instrument.
The Barton tibia rank that originally left the factory with that Shorewood console eventually found a new home at the East Troy Trolley Museum, thanks to John's generosity. But the Gollnick family's legacy lives on in John's organ—a living tribute to Walter's craftsmanship, Fred's dedication, and the three generations of Wisconsin organ history connected through this remarkable instrument.
John talking about the organ during a 2025 ATOS Convention Pre-glow open-console event.
More To This Dream
Before acquiring the Barton organ, John had been dreaming of his ideal instrument and had already started gathering chests, pipes, and all the components that make a theater organ unique. He used pipe work from several builders. To accommodate his growing collection, John expanded his father's metal garage to nearly twice its original size, housing both the organ and a workshop.
While the organ was smaller, and playing with the Barton console, John acquired and restored his other dream: owning the 4-manual Kilgen from the Piccadilly Theatre in Chicago. This console is truly one-of-a-kind—it's the only four-manual curved "horseshoe" console built by Kilgen, as all others used the "wing" design with straight stop rails. Extensive restoration work has been carried out on this rare console. After the console was removed from the theatre, it was stored in a semi-trailer until John saved it.
Once the Kilgen console became playable again, John connected to the organ. The Barton console and the tibia rank that left the factory with that console found a new home at the East Troy Trolley Museum, thanks to John's generosity.
While the organ is still being constructed, it can be played and enjoyed, serving as a living tribute to the Gollnick family's legacy and fulfilling John's dream. It even has the iconic Barton sound at its core.
While the organ was smaller, and playing with the Barton console, John acquired and restored his other dream: owning the 4-manual Kilgen from the Piccadilly Theatre in Chicago. This console is truly one-of-a-kind—it's the only four-manual curved "horseshoe" console built by Kilgen, as all others used the "wing" design with straight stop rails. Extensive restoration work has been carried out on this rare console. After the console was removed from the theatre, it was stored in a semi-trailer until John saved it.
Once the Kilgen console became playable again, John connected to the organ. The Barton console and the tibia rank that left the factory with that console found a new home at the East Troy Trolley Museum, thanks to John's generosity.
While the organ is still being constructed, it can be played and enjoyed, serving as a living tribute to the Gollnick family's legacy and fulfilling John's dream. It even has the iconic Barton sound at its core.
Current Status Of The Organ
The organ is currently being played on the Kilgen console, but it is far from finished, like many projects rarely are.
One of John's current priorities is getting the combination action system up and running. This system allows an organist to set and recall stop combinations, enabling quick changes in sound and mood during performances. He is also focused on completing the remaining chambers as time and resources allow.
The organ is already impressive, but it will be magnificent once complete.
Updates will be posted here as work progresses.
One of John's current priorities is getting the combination action system up and running. This system allows an organist to set and recall stop combinations, enabling quick changes in sound and mood during performances. He is also focused on completing the remaining chambers as time and resources allow.
The organ is already impressive, but it will be magnificent once complete.
Updates will be posted here as work progresses.
John playing the organ in 2026.
A view inside the Orchestral Chamber, currently playing in the Cornue organ.
The Current Organ Specs
Orchestral Chamber
16' Concert Flute (Barton)
16' Tuba Horn (Wurlitzer)
16' Open Diapason (1-12 Wurlitzer, 13 and up, Organ Supply)
Tibia Clausa (Barton)
Vox Humana (Dennison)
Violin (Link)
Violin Celeste (Moller, re-voiced by John Cornue)
Dulciana (Wurlitzer)
Dulciana Celetse I (sharp) (Kimball)
Dulciana Celeste II (flat) (Organ Supply)
Kinura (Dennison)
Orchestral Oboe (Wurlitzer)
Clarinet (Wurlitzer)
Orchestral Trumpet (Wicks, re-voiced by Fred Gollnick)
Oboe Horn (Gottfried)
Foundation Chamber
16' Wood Open Diapason (Kimball)
16' Diaphonic Diapason (Wurlitzer)
16' Tibia Clasua (Kimball)
16' Post Horn (1-12 Austin Fagotto, re-voiced by John Cornue; 13-73 Dennison "French Trumpet" style)
Major Open Diapason (Wangerin)
Trumpet (Kimball)
Vox Humana (Gottfried)
Violin (Wangerin)
Violin Celeste (Wangerin)
Concert Violin (Wicks copy of Robert Morton)
Concert Violin Celeste (Wicks copy of Robert Morton)
4' Octave (Page)
2 2/3' Mixture IV (Wangerin)
Unenclosed
Glockenspiel
Xylophone
Tap Cymbal
Roll Cymbal
Tambourine
Castanets
Sleigh Bells
Triangle
Tom-Tom
Wood Block
Siren
Auto Horn
Train Whistle
16' Concert Flute (Barton)
16' Tuba Horn (Wurlitzer)
16' Open Diapason (1-12 Wurlitzer, 13 and up, Organ Supply)
Tibia Clausa (Barton)
Vox Humana (Dennison)
Violin (Link)
Violin Celeste (Moller, re-voiced by John Cornue)
Dulciana (Wurlitzer)
Dulciana Celetse I (sharp) (Kimball)
Dulciana Celeste II (flat) (Organ Supply)
Kinura (Dennison)
Orchestral Oboe (Wurlitzer)
Clarinet (Wurlitzer)
Orchestral Trumpet (Wicks, re-voiced by Fred Gollnick)
Oboe Horn (Gottfried)
Foundation Chamber
16' Wood Open Diapason (Kimball)
16' Diaphonic Diapason (Wurlitzer)
16' Tibia Clasua (Kimball)
16' Post Horn (1-12 Austin Fagotto, re-voiced by John Cornue; 13-73 Dennison "French Trumpet" style)
Major Open Diapason (Wangerin)
Trumpet (Kimball)
Vox Humana (Gottfried)
Violin (Wangerin)
Violin Celeste (Wangerin)
Concert Violin (Wicks copy of Robert Morton)
Concert Violin Celeste (Wicks copy of Robert Morton)
4' Octave (Page)
2 2/3' Mixture IV (Wangerin)
Unenclosed
Glockenspiel
Xylophone
Tap Cymbal
Roll Cymbal
Tambourine
Castanets
Sleigh Bells
Triangle
Tom-Tom
Wood Block
Siren
Auto Horn
Train Whistle