By Jim Hannah and Brenna R. Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

DAYTON, Ky. - When the First Baptist Church congregation wanted to modernize its century-old pipe organ a few years ago, the experts said "No."

"Organ builders took one look at the organ and said, 'Don't touch it, this is a piece of art,'" said former First Baptist Church organist Zella Lee.

Organ enthusiasts were able to save the musical instrument from modern technology, but they were not able to save it from a fire that gutted the church on Friday.

"The First Baptist organ had a different sound - deeper and more mellow," said Lee, 84, of Dayton, Ky., who played at the church from 1954 through 1962. "And it was harder to play. It gave you a workout."

Jed Satchwell of Batavia, who tuned the First Baptist organ for more than a decade, said a piece of musical history is now gone. He said the organ was a Votey Opus 888 with 11 ranks, or sets of pipes. He said the organ was rare: It was a tubular pneumatic style that was short lived.

"It was originally hand-pumped," said Satchwell. "At one time it was connected to the city's water system. The water powered the bellows, using a system similar to a steam engine. It was only later an electrical blower was installed."

The church was built in 1895 at a cost of about $25,000 and didn't have an organ until 1900 or 1901. O.F. Barrett donated it to the church in memory of his parents, according to historical documents.

E-mail jhannah@enquirer.com