The Claus Jensen organ in Ilen Church is a very interesting and beautiful instrument, and a masterpiece of craftsmanship by one of our foremost craftsmen. It is also a very good instrument in terms of its ideal sound. This organ is considered among the foremost organs in the Nordic countries, and is known all over the world.

Claus Jensen (c. 1817-1892) was born in Schleswig-Holstein and is of Danish origin. He came to Norway in c. 1837 as a fully trained organ builder, and built his first instrument for Korskirke in Bergen. This organ was in all probability well accepted as Jensen later received several important commissions in Christiania, Trondheim, Drammen and Tromsø. In addition to the instruments in the cities mentioned above, Jensen mostly built smaller organs for rural churches. His instrument in Ilen Church is the last one he built with two manuals and is the only larger instrument that has been preserved in its original condition. Minor restorations have been made, including the bellows having been moved twice, first in 1964, and again during the restoration in 1977-1979 when the wind bars were repaired after drying out and some minor mechanical defects were rectified. A simple wedge bellows is now mounted under the floor of the gallery behind the organ. The air supply is not very stable and restoration of the original bellows is planned as well as a total restoration within the next five years.

Claus Jensen is an organ builder rooted in the classical tradition. He used traditional craftsmanship methods and first-quality materials. He was among the first to use penetrating reeds for his lighter reed parts, which is used in clarinet 8 at Ilen Church's organ. Jensen strived for a good balance between the works, which is especially noticeable in the pedal organ.

The organ in Ilen Church was built early in 1889 and was completed in early summer of this year. The organ is an early romantic, mechanical loop-case organ without swells. All works are housed in one organ case. Principal 8 from the main work is placed in the facade.