Crenshaw Christian Center (formerly First Church of Christ, Scientist) - New York City

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Crenshaw Christian Center East

1 West 96th Street at Central Park West
New York, N.Y. 10025
http://www.crenshawchristiancentereast.org/


Organ Specifications:
► IV/68 Hook & Hastings Company (1930)
► IV/66 Hutchings-Votey Organ Co., Op. 483 (1903)
 
In 2003, the Los Angeles-based Crenshaw Christian Center purchased the grand edifice which was originally built as the First Church of Christ, Scientist. The members of First Church merged with the Second Church of of Christ, Scientist, located at 68th Street and Central Park West, and Second Church was renamed First Church.

Crenshaw Christian Center (formerly First Church of Christ, Scientist) - New York City. (Library of Congress)

 
The building was designed by Carrère & Hastings and completed in 1904. The solid Georgian exterior employs the use of extremely large blocks of Concord granite, and is topped by a tower. Inside, the 2200-seat auditorium includes a gallery on three sides, barrel vaulting, and an elaborate organ case. Above the church were the offices, reading rooms and Sunday School facilities.
         
  Rebuilt 1930 Hook & Hastings console of 1903 Hutchings-Votey Organ, Op. 483 (1903) in Crenshaw Christian Center (formerly First Church of Christ, Scientist) - New York City (photo: Jeff Scofield)
  Rebuilt Hook & Hastings console

1930 Hook & Hastings console - First Church of Christ, Scientist - New York City (The Diapason, Apr. 1930)
  1930 Hook & Hastings console
Hook & Hastings Company
Boston, Mass. (1930)
Electro-pneumatic action
4 manuals, 70 stops, 68 ranks




In 1930, the Hook & Hastings Company of Boston was contracted to modernize the 1903 Hutchings-Votey organ. Hook & Hastings cleaned and releathered the organ, extended some ranks to 73 notes, and provided a new detached four-manual drawknob console.

Around 1972, the console was rebuilt by Fred Lloyd and Arthur Schoedel. New couplers were installed, and the side jambs were fitted with Klann stop tabs.

By the 1990s, the organ had become unreliable and efforts were made by Lorenz Maycher, organist for 10 years, to raise funds for the restoration of this historic organ.

The status of this organ is unknown.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 pipes
16
   Open Diapason
61
2 2/3
   Twelfth
61
8
   First Diapason
61
2
   Fifteenth
61
8
   Second Diapason
61
     Mixture V ranks
305
8
   Wood Diapason [Gross Floete]
61
16
   Trumpet [6" w.p.]
61
8
   Doppel Flöte
61
8
   Trumpet [6" w.p.]
61
8
   Rohr Flöte
61
4
   Clarion [6" w.p.]
61
8
   Gamba
61
     Chimes
EC
8
   Gemshorn
61
     Harp *
SW
4
   Octave
61
     Harp Celesta *
SW
4
   Flute Harmonique
61
        

     

     
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Melodia
73
4
   Flute a Cheminee
61
8
   Diapason
73
2
   Flageolet
61
8
   Horn Diapason
73
     Mixture V ranks
305
8
   Stopped Diapason
73
16
   Fagotto
61
8
   Aeoline
61
8
   Cornopean
61
8
   Salicional
61
8
   Oboe
61
8
   Spitz Flöte
61
8
   Vox Humana
61
8
   Voix Celeste
61
     Tremolo  
4
   Octave
61
     Chimes
EC
4
   Salicet
61
    
Harp *
49 bars

     

     
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Gamba
73
4
   Wald Flöte
61
8
   Diapason
73
2
   Piccolo
61
8
   Geigen Principal
73
8
   Clarinet
61
8
   Dulciana
73
8
   Orchestral Oboe
61
8
   Unda Maris [TC] *
61

  Tremolo  
8
   Clarabella
73

  Chimes
EC
8
   Quintadena
73
     Harp *
SW
4
   Gemshorn
61

  Harp Celesta *
SW

     

     
Solo Organ (Manual IV) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Stentorphone
73
8
   Tuba Mirabilis
73
8
   Gross Flöte
73
     Chimes
EC
8
   Gamba
61

  Harp *
SW
8
   Gamba Celeste * [rep. Hohlpfeife]
61
     Harp Celesta *
SW

     

     
Echo Organ (floating) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Silverella
61
4
   Flute Traverso
61
8
   Lieblich Gedackt
61
8
   Vox Humana
61
8
   Voix Angelica [orig. Unda Maris]
61

  Tremolo  

     

     
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
32
   Diapason [unit]
44
8
   Gedackt [Bourdon]
—
16
   First Diapason
56
8
   Fugara [Violone]
—
16
   Second Diapason [ext. 32']
—
8
   Cello [Voix Celeste]
SW
16
   Violone [unit]
44
4
   Super Octave [1st Diap.]
—
16
   Bourdon [unit]
44
16
   Trombone [unit]
44
16
   Contra Bass
CH
16
   Bassoon [Fagotto]
SW
16
   Lieblich Gedackt [Melodia]
SW
8
   Tromba
—
10 2/3
   Quinte [Bourdon]
—
     Chimes
EC
8
   Octave [1st Diap.]
—
        
           
* additions by Hook & Hastings (1930)
         

1903 Hutchings-Votey Organ - Crenshaw Christian Center (formerly First Church of Christ, Scientist) - New York City. (Photo courtesy Jeff Scofield)
Hutchings-Votey Organ Co.
Boston, Mass. – Opus 483 (1903)
Electro-pneumatic action
4 manuals, 69 stops, 66 ranks






Plans for an organ in the new edifice date back to May 11, 1899, when a Memorandum of Agreement was signed by organ builder George S. Hutchings of Boston, and Mrs. Maude Kissam Babcock of New York, donor to the First Church of Christ, Scientist. As specificied, the organ was to have three manuals, 59 stops, 51 ranks, and would cost $15,000. The organ was to be installed "as soon as the place is ready to receive it – probably about November 1900." However, several changes to the building's design resulted in delays to the construction of the edifice and organ.

In 1901, George S. Hutchings and Edwin S. Votey became organ building partners, forming the Hutchings-Votey Organ Company. The 1899 contract for First Church was assumed by the new firm, but it, too, underwent some revisions. A new contract, dated April 8, 1902, specified an enlarged organ with four manuals, 69 stops and 66 ranks, at a cost of $25,000. The Hutchings-Votey organ would include a movable "bat-wing" console described as "very compact and simple and [weighing] but 300 lbs.; it is 3 ft. 11 ins. high, 4 ft. wide, and 2-1/2 ft. deep. The stops are placed upon movable sides which swing out to a convenient angle for operation. When not in use, the sides swing in and act as receivers for the roll top which incloses [sic] the key-boards. The pedal keys are on a pivoted frame, which may be raised and hooked to the console for convenience in moving. The connecting cable is conveninetly detachable from the console, and usually contains from 350 to 400 wires." About 150 of free cable was provided.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 pipes
16
   Open Diapason
61
4
   Octave
61
8
   First Diapason
61
4
   Flute Harmonique
61
8
   Second Diapason
61
2 2/3
   Twelfth
61
8
   Gross Floete
61
2
   Fifteenth
61
8
   Doppel Flute
61
     Mixture V ranks
305
8
   Gamba
61
16
   Trumpet [6" w.p.]
61
8
   Rohr Flute
61
8
   Trumpet [6" w.p.]
61
8
   Gemshorn
61
4
   Clarion [6" w.p.]
61

     

     
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Melodia [lower 7 stopped]
61
4
   Salicet
61
8
   Diapason
61
4
   Flute a Cheminee
61
8
   Horn Diapason [Gross Floete]
61
2
   Flageolet
61
8
   Stopped Diapason
61
     Mixture V ranks [Dolce Mixture]
305
8
   Æoline
61
16
   Fagotto
61
8
   Salicional
61
8
   Cornopean [harmonic]
61
8
   Spitz Flute
61
8
   Oboe
61
8
   Vox Celestis
61
8
   Vox Humana
61
4
   Octave
61
     Tremolo  

     

     
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Gamba
61
4
   Wald Flute
61
8
   Diapason
61
2
   Piccolo
61
8
   Geigen Principal
61
8
   Clarinet
61
8
   Dulciana
61
8
   Orchestral Oboe
61
8
   Clarabella
61

  Tremolo  
8
   Quintadena
61

  Chimes
EC
4
   Gemshorn
61
        

     

     
Solo Organ (Manual IV) – 61 notes, enclosed [15" pressure]
8
   Stentorphone
61
8
   Tuba Mirabilis
61
8
   Gross Flute
61
     Chimes
EC
4
   Hohlpfeife
61

     

     

     
Echo Organ (floating) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Silverella
61
4
   Flute Traverso
61
8
   Lieblich Gedackt
61
8
   Vox Humana
61
8
   Unda Maris
61

  Tremolo  

     

     
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
64
   Gravissima ** derived
8
   Octave [1st Diap.]
—
32
   Diapason [unit]
44
8
   Gedackt [Bourdon]
—
16
   First Diapason [unit]
56
8
   Fugara [Violone]
—
16
   Second Diapason [ext. 32']
—
8
   Orchestra Cello [Vox Cel.]
SW
16
   Violone [unit]
44
4
   Super Octave [1st Diap.]
—
16
   Bourdon [unit]
44
16
   Trombone [unit]
44
16
   Contra Bass
CH
16
   Bassoon [Fagotto]
SW
10 2/3
   Quinte [Bourdon]
—
8
   Tromba
—
               
Couplers
    Great to Pedal   Swell to Solo
    Swell to Pedal   Swell to Swell 16'
    Choir to Pedal   Swell to Swell 4'
    Solo to Pedal   Swell Unison Release
    Swell to Great   Choir Off
    Swell to Great 4'   Solo to Solo 16'
    Choir to Great   Solo to Solo 4'
    Choir to Great 16'   Solo Unison Release
    Solo to Great   Solo Off
    Swell to Choir   Echo to Solo
    Great to Solo   Echo to Choir
               
Combinations (adjustable in the organ)
   
Solo & Pedal Pistons 1-2-3-0
Swell & Pedal Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-0
Great & Pedal Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-0
Choir & Pedal Pistons 1-2-3-4-0
Entire Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4
  General Release
  Pedal Release
               
Pedals
    Balanced Crescendo Pedal
    Balanced Swell Pedal
    Balanced Choir Pedal
    Balanced Solo & Echo Pedal
    Locking Pedal connecting all Swells to main Swell Pedal
    Great to Pedal Reversible Pedal
           
Sources:
     Dunlap, David W. From Abyssinian to Zion: A Guide to Manhattan's Houses of Worship. New York: Columbia University Press, 2004.
     Fox, David H. A Guide to North American Organbuilders (Rev. ed.). Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 1997.
     Glück, Sebastian. Factory Specifications (April 8, 1902) of Hutchings-Votey Organ, Op. 483 (1903).
     Glück, Sebastian. Memorandum of Agreement (May 11, 1899) of proposed organ by Geo. S. Hutchings.
     "Hook & Hastings Win New York Contract," The Diapason (Jan. 1, 1930) 4. Courtesy Sebastian Glück.
     "Louis Baker Phillips at New Hook & Hastings Organ," The Diapason (July 1, 1930) 1. Courtesy Sebastian Glück.

Illustrations:
     Bowen, Jonathan. Hutchings-Votey brochure with drawing of organ case.
     Hook & Hastings advertisement, The Diapason (Apr. 1, 1930). Courtesy Sebastian Glück.
     Library of Congress Digital Collection. Interior
     Scofield, Jeff. Color photo of console.