The First Christian Sanctuary Organ
1953 M.P. Möller Organ, Opus 8451
Renovated by Lincoln Pipe Organs, 2007
Renovated by Lincoln Pipe Organs, 2007
Notes of History
In June 1952, as the new sanctuary of the church was being planned, a special organ committee was formed. The committee consisted of B.J. Forbes, chairman, Lee Howard, Russell Roebuck, C.A. Jarman, Mrs. W.N. Hackney, II, and Mesdames: Bertha Crosby and Lula Ruffin.
As the organ was being built the committee recommended eight principles governing the use of the organ. The recommended statement was adopted.
Among the rules included in the eight principles were that the new memorial instrument should not be used promiscuously, and that every caution possible must be used to protect the organ; the church organist was to be in complete charge of the organ; the schedule for the organ practicing was to be posted on a bulletin board in the narthex; and, the organ chamber was to be locked at all times.
M.P. Möller Company of Hagerstown, Maryland, which was said to be the largest organ company in the world at the time, was selected to build the organ. The organ’s sales number was 8451. The company’s workmen installing it were: J.S. Presgraves, E.E. White, and C.G. Stancill. Observers were impressed by the ability and genuine interest of the workmen.
Installation of the new pipe organ was completed on December 30, 1953. The pipe organ was given to the church through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Willis N. Hackney, II. Virgil Fox, the world famous organist, came to First Christian Church to play the dedication concert. The congregation took great pride in their newly purchased pipe organ. Their gift to the church has been a source of strength which has greatly enhanced our worship experience for the last 54 years.
It is with gratitude and grateful hearts that the Organ Renovation Committee would like to thank our present congregation for their support and their gifts that made the renovation possible. Once again, this instrument can stir our hearts and souls with its magnificent sounds in praise to God.
As the organ was being built the committee recommended eight principles governing the use of the organ. The recommended statement was adopted.
Among the rules included in the eight principles were that the new memorial instrument should not be used promiscuously, and that every caution possible must be used to protect the organ; the church organist was to be in complete charge of the organ; the schedule for the organ practicing was to be posted on a bulletin board in the narthex; and, the organ chamber was to be locked at all times.
M.P. Möller Company of Hagerstown, Maryland, which was said to be the largest organ company in the world at the time, was selected to build the organ. The organ’s sales number was 8451. The company’s workmen installing it were: J.S. Presgraves, E.E. White, and C.G. Stancill. Observers were impressed by the ability and genuine interest of the workmen.
Installation of the new pipe organ was completed on December 30, 1953. The pipe organ was given to the church through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Willis N. Hackney, II. Virgil Fox, the world famous organist, came to First Christian Church to play the dedication concert. The congregation took great pride in their newly purchased pipe organ. Their gift to the church has been a source of strength which has greatly enhanced our worship experience for the last 54 years.
It is with gratitude and grateful hearts that the Organ Renovation Committee would like to thank our present congregation for their support and their gifts that made the renovation possible. Once again, this instrument can stir our hearts and souls with its magnificent sounds in praise to God.
The Renovation
The new organ at First Christian Church is based on M.P. Möller Opus 8451, built for this church in 1953 and subsequently modified by the original builder.
The specific goal of the renovation, as set forth by the Organ Committee and the consultant, was three fold: to insure mechanical reliability, to improve the projection of organ tone from the organ chamber to the congregation, and to widen the range of the organ’s tonal colors.
To insure mechanical reliability, all moving mechanisms were completely rebuilt to the standards of new equipment or replaced outright, all wind chests were converted to electro pneumatic unit action to avoid the problems of the original design, and the console was fitted out with all new draw knobs, tilting tablets, multiplexed switching, and combination action. The manual and pedal keyboards were completely reconditioned with new naturals on all keyboards.
To project the sound of the instrument out of the chamber, the chancel floor was recovered with a reflective and beautiful parquet wood floor, which also increased the sound of the First Christian’s excellent volunteer choir. The organ chamber walls and floor were completely and properly repaired, leaving hard surfaces ideal for the reflection of sound. Finally, the layout of the divisions of the organ was completely reorganized, placing the Great immediately behind new façade pipes and moving as much of the Pedal as possible to unenclosed space near the Great. The Swell has been located behind the great against chamber walls which reflect its sound to the congregation, and the Choir placed above and behind the new Pedal 16’ Double Open Diapason.
To widen the range of the organ’s tonal colors, six ranks of pipes were added. The effect of the additional ranks, combined with extensive onsite re-voicing of the Möller pipes and careful rescaling of the upperwork, is a much fuller, broader, and more brilliant sound which does not need to scream to be heard and which is capable of many more colors than before the renovation. Of greatest general interest, perhaps, are the contrasting principal choruses in the Great and Swell, the new Swell reed battery, the new Choir Rohrschalmei, and the new small Cornet in the Choir division. Taken altogether, there are 28 ranks configured as 24 voices; these voices comprise 46 speaking stops distributed over three manuals and pedal.
We were very pleased to find out that we had been entrusted with the organ’s renovation.
-John Dower & Company
(recently named Lincoln Pipe Organs)
www.lincolnpipeorgans.com
The specific goal of the renovation, as set forth by the Organ Committee and the consultant, was three fold: to insure mechanical reliability, to improve the projection of organ tone from the organ chamber to the congregation, and to widen the range of the organ’s tonal colors.
To insure mechanical reliability, all moving mechanisms were completely rebuilt to the standards of new equipment or replaced outright, all wind chests were converted to electro pneumatic unit action to avoid the problems of the original design, and the console was fitted out with all new draw knobs, tilting tablets, multiplexed switching, and combination action. The manual and pedal keyboards were completely reconditioned with new naturals on all keyboards.
To project the sound of the instrument out of the chamber, the chancel floor was recovered with a reflective and beautiful parquet wood floor, which also increased the sound of the First Christian’s excellent volunteer choir. The organ chamber walls and floor were completely and properly repaired, leaving hard surfaces ideal for the reflection of sound. Finally, the layout of the divisions of the organ was completely reorganized, placing the Great immediately behind new façade pipes and moving as much of the Pedal as possible to unenclosed space near the Great. The Swell has been located behind the great against chamber walls which reflect its sound to the congregation, and the Choir placed above and behind the new Pedal 16’ Double Open Diapason.
To widen the range of the organ’s tonal colors, six ranks of pipes were added. The effect of the additional ranks, combined with extensive onsite re-voicing of the Möller pipes and careful rescaling of the upperwork, is a much fuller, broader, and more brilliant sound which does not need to scream to be heard and which is capable of many more colors than before the renovation. Of greatest general interest, perhaps, are the contrasting principal choruses in the Great and Swell, the new Swell reed battery, the new Choir Rohrschalmei, and the new small Cornet in the Choir division. Taken altogether, there are 28 ranks configured as 24 voices; these voices comprise 46 speaking stops distributed over three manuals and pedal.
We were very pleased to find out that we had been entrusted with the organ’s renovation.
-John Dower & Company
(recently named Lincoln Pipe Organs)
www.lincolnpipeorgans.com
Specifications
1953 M.P. Möller Organ Opus 8451 renovated by Lincoln Pipe Organs in 2007
28 ranks configured as 24 voices; these voices comprise 46 speaking stops.
The instrument holds approximately 2,000 pipes.
28 ranks configured as 24 voices; these voices comprise 46 speaking stops.
The instrument holds approximately 2,000 pipes.
|
Great
16 Gemshorn 8 Gemshorn 8 Principal 8 Flute Harmonic 4 Octave 4 Flute Twelfth 2 2/3 2 Fifteenth Mixture III 16 Basson (sw) 8 Trumpet (sw) Tremulant Chimes Great to Great 16 |
Swell
16 Rohr Gedact 8 Viole Celeste 8 Viole De Gambe 8 Rohrflöte 8 Montre 4 Spitz Prinzipal 4 Flute Plein Jeu III 2 Octavin 16 Basson 8 Trompette 8 Hautbois Tremulant Sw to Gt 16', 8', 4' Sw to Choir 16', 4’ Sw/Unison Off |
Choir
8 Unda Maris 8 Dulciana 8 Concert Flute 4 Koppelflöte Nasat 2 2/3 2 Sifflöte 8 Cromorne Tierce 1 3/5 8 Trumpet 1 1/3 Larigot Tremulant Chimes Choir to Gt 16', 8', 4' Choir to Choir 16', 4’ Ch/Unison Off |
Pedal
16 Double Open Diapason 16 Soubasse 16 Rohr Bourdon (sw) 8 Open Bass 8 Gedact (sw) 8 Bass Flute 4 Choral Bass 4 Flute (sw) 16 Basson (sw) 16 Double Trompette (sw) 8 Trompette (sw) 4 Hautbois (sw) Chimes Transposition capability 100 Memory levels 16 generals Divisionals 1-6 |
Concerts & Practicing
FCC holds two Noonday concert series - the Advent Series and the Sounds of Summer Series. Other evening concerts may occur as well. Likewise, each week the instrument is used during our 10AM Unified worship service and is an integral part of many life events at First Christian including both weddings and funerals.
This instrument is available for practice use for organists who are trained or who are members of the American Guild of Organists.
If you wish to have a tour including viewing part of the organ chamber or to learn more about this instrument, please contact our Minister of Music & Organist, Casey W. Childers for more information.
musicminister@fccwilson.org or 252-237-4125
This instrument is available for practice use for organists who are trained or who are members of the American Guild of Organists.
If you wish to have a tour including viewing part of the organ chamber or to learn more about this instrument, please contact our Minister of Music & Organist, Casey W. Childers for more information.
musicminister@fccwilson.org or 252-237-4125
#FCCWILSONNC
A Disciples of Christ Congregation located in Eastern North Carolina
207 Tarboro Street North | Wilson, NC
Corner of Vance & Tarboro Streets
252-237-4125
Updated: December 4, 2023 | 9:45am
A Disciples of Christ Congregation located in Eastern North Carolina
207 Tarboro Street North | Wilson, NC
Corner of Vance & Tarboro Streets
252-237-4125
Updated: December 4, 2023 | 9:45am
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