Built in 1890 by the Kilgen Organ firm of St. Louis, MO, the organ in our chapel was originally installed in the 1876 sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church of Seattle. When in 1907 the church built a larger sanctuary, the organ was sold and stood unused for many years in Hillcrest Presbyterian Church of Seattle. It was later moved to House of Prayer Lutheran Church in Burien, WA. Pacific Lutheran acquired the instrument from House of Prayer when the church merged with another congregation. It was used as a practice instrument by students of PLU for a time.

Through the efforts of David Dahl, University Organist, Gregory Peterson, Minister of Music at Trinity Lutheran, David Robbins, Music Dept. Chair, and Pastor Richard A. Halvorson, Senior Minister at Trinity, an agreement was enacted between PLU and Trinity to install the Kilgen organ in the Trinity Chapel. The initial restoration of the organ was done by Randall McCarty of the PLU Music Department with sharing of costs by PLU and Trinity.

Since its installation in 1986, the Kilgen has benefited from continuing refurbishment projects and volunteer contributions. Oscar Morken of Trinity Church designed and built the new case sides. George Morken refurbished the pedal board; Greg Durston assisted in preparing the chapel space. A special effort for learning and service was accomplished with the painting of the façade pipes by the PLU Interim organ class.