Church of the Intercession - New York City (Photo: John Rust)
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Church of the Intercession
(Episcopal)

550 West 155th Street at Broadway
New York, N.Y. 10032


Organ Specifications:
III/65 Schlicker Organ Co. (1968)
III/58 Aeolian-Skinner Co., Op. 768-A (1950)
IV/55 Austin Organ Co., Op. 441 (1912)
• J.H. & C.S. Odell (1800s)
• Henry Erben (1851)
 

Church of the Intercession - New York City (Photo: John Rust)

 
   
The Church of the Intercession was established in 1847, four years after Old Trinity Church in lower Manhattan bought a 24-acre tract for use as a cemetary in what was then the suburb of Carmansville. In 1872, Intercession built a Gothic church on the corner of 154th Street and Tenth Avenue (Broadway), as designed by Rembrandt Lockwood. Within a few years, the arrival of the IRT subway brought about a huge increase in area population, but Intercession could not afford to build a larger church. They turned to Trinity Church, which agreed to support Intercession by making it their cemetery chapel. In 1976, the Chapel of the Intercession became the Church of the Intercession once again after receiving its independence from Trinity Church.

Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue Memorial - Church of the Intercession - New York City (Photo: John Rust)

Bertram Goodhue Memorial


Bertram Goodhue, of Cram,
Goodhue & Ferguson, designed the large English Gothic complex which consists of the cathedral-like church and tower, a full cloister, vicarage, vestry, and parish house. Built between 1911-14, Intercession has been called the quintessential Goodhue church, and was the architect's favorite, although he also designed the West Point Cadet Chapel, St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church, and St. Thomas Church Fifth Avenue. Goodhue is buried in the north transept, in a monument created by the sculptor Lee Lawrie, his frequent collaborator.
               

  Church of the Intercession - New York City (Photo: John Rust)
  Church of the Intercession - New York City (Photo: John Rust)
Schlicker Organ Company
Buffalo, N.Y. (1968)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals, 52 stops, 65 ranks






In 1968, the Schlicker Organ Company was contracted to move Aeolian-Skinner, Opus 768-A (1930) to the Chapel of the Intercession from St. Paul's Chapel of Trinity Church. The organ is installed behind the original organ case, which was designed by Bertram Goodhue. Schlicker rebuilt the organ, replaced most of the upperwork, and added a new console.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
16
  Quintaton
61
2
  Octave
61
8
  Prinzipal
61
  Mixture VI ranks
366
8
  Bourdon
61
8
  Trompete
61
8
  Gemshorn
61
16
 
Trompeta Real [ext.]

preparation

4
  Octave
61
8
 
Trompeta Real

preparation

4
  Rohrfloete
61
 
Chimes *

21 tubes

2 2/3
  Quint
61
  * toe stud only
 
   
 
   
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed

16
  Bourdon
73
2
  Flautina
61
8
  Prinzipal
73
  Mixture V ranks
305
8
  Rohrfloete
73
 
  Cymbel III ranks
83
8
  Salicional
73
16
  Bombarde
73
8
  Voix Celeste [FF]
68
8
  Trompette
73
8
  Aeoline
73
8
  Oboe
73
8
  Unda Maris [TC]
61
4
  Clarion
73
4
  Octave
73
  Tremolo
4
  Flute
73
   
 
   
 
   
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed

8
  Viola Celeste II ranks
134
  Scharf IV ranks
244
8
  Chimney Flute
73
8
  English Horn
61
8
  Prinzipal
73
4
  Chalumeau
61
4
  Flute
73
  Tremolo
2
  Waldfloete
61
   
   
   
Positiv Organ (Manual I) – 56 notes

8
  Quintadena
56
  Zimbel III ranks
168
4
  Prinzipal
56
16
 
Trompeta Real [ext.]

preparation

2 2/3
  Nasat
56
8
 
Trompeta Real

preparation

2
  Zauberfloete
56
4
 
Trompeta Real [ext.]

preparation

1 3/5
  Terz
56
   
   
   
Pedal Organ – 32 notes

32
 
Contra Violone [ext.]

preparation

4
  Choralbass [ext.]
12
16
  Prinzipal
32
2
  Nachthorn
32
16
  Violone
32
32
  Contra Fagott
32
16
  Bourdon
32
16
  Posaune
32
16
  Quintadena
GT
8
  Trumpet [ext.]
12
8
  Octave
32
4
  Clarion [ext.]
12
8
  Gedeckt
32
   
   
   

Church of the Intercession - New York City (Photo: John Rust)

Church of the Intercession - New York City (Photo: John Rust)

Church of the Intercession - New York City (Photo: John Rust)
Church of the Intercession - New York City (Photo: John Rust)

               

Aeolian-Skinner Organ Company, Inc.
Boston, Mass. – Opus 768-A (1950)
Electro-pneumatic key and stop action
3 manuals, 54 stops, 58 ranks


Following is the specification of Aeolian-Skinner Opus 768-A before it was moved from St. Paul's Chapel (Trinity Church). The Schlicker Organ Company rebuilt and altered the organ for the Chapel of the Intercession.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
16
  Quintaton
61
4
  Rohrflöte
61
8
  Diapason
61
2 2/3
  Quint
61
8
  Bourdon
61
2
  Super Octave
61
8
  Erzähler
61
  Fourniture IV ranks
244
4
  Principal
61
8
  Trumpet
61
 
   
 
   
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed

16
  Bourdon
73
2
  Flautino
61
8
  Diapason
73
  Plein Jeu III-V ranks
269
8
  Rohrflote
73
 
  Cymbel II-III ranks
171
8
  Salicional
73
16
  Bombarde
73
8
  Voix Celeste
73
8
  Trompette
73
8
  Aeoline
73
8
  Oboe
73
8
  Unda Maris [TC]
61
4
  Clarion
73
4
  Octave
73
  Tremolo
4
  Flute
73
   
 
   
 
   
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed

8
  Chimney Flute
73
2
  Piccolo
61
8
  Viola
73
8
  Clarinet
73
8
  Dulciana
73
8
  French Horn
73
4
  Prestant
73
8
  English Horn
73
4
  Flute Octaviante
73
  Tremolo
   
   
Positiv Organ (Manual I) – 56 notes

8
  Nason Flute
56
2
  Zauberflöte
56
4
  Prinzipal
56
1 3/5
  Terz
56
2 2/3
  Nazat
56
8
  Zimbel III ranks
168
   
   
Pedal Organ – 32 notes

16
  Principal
32
8
  Still Gedeckt
SW
16
  Violone
32
4
  Choral Bass [ext.]
12
16
  Quintaten
GT
  Mixture III ranks
96
16
  Echo Lieblich
SW
16
  Posaune [ext. GT]
12
8
  Principal
32
8
  Trumpet
GT
8
  Cello [ext.]
12
4
  Clarion
GT

               

Austin Organ Company
Hartford, Conn. – Opus 441 (1912)
Electro-pneumatic action
4 manuals, 67 stops, 55 ranks
Wind pressures: 5 and 10 inches


The contract of the original organ was given to the Austin Organ Company after the organists of Trinity Church and Intercession Chapel had spent a considerable time searching out tonal and mechanical qualities in present-day organs. The result was a completely-enclosed organ, except for the diapasons on the Great, with a stoplist rich in orchestral voices. Bertram Goodhue designed the organ case which features display pipes of plain zinc and three sets of Spanish-style horizontal pipes. Both the organ and chapel were to be completed in time for the General Convention of the Episcopal Church, held in New York during October 1913.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
16
  Double Open Diapason
61
4
  Principal
61
8
  First Open Diapason
61
4
  Flute Harmonic
61
8
  Second Open Diapason
61
2
  Fifteenth
61
8
  Violoncello *
61
16
  Double Trumpet *
61
8
  Doppel Flute *
61
8
  Trumpet *
61
8
  Melodia *
61
4
  Clarion *
61
 
   
 
  * enclosed in Choir box
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed

16
  Bourdon
73
4
  Chimney Flute
73
8
  Diapason Phonon
73
2
  Flautino
61
8
  Horn Diapason
73
 
  Solo Mixture 3 ranks
183
8
  Stopped Flute
73
16
  Contra Fagotto
73
8
  Viole d'Orchestre
73
8
  Cornopean
73
8
  Viole Celeste [TC]
61
8
  Oboe
73
8
  Salicional
73
8
  Vox Humana
73
8
  Aeoline
73
4
  Clarion
73
8
  Quintadena
73
  Tremolo
4
  Octave
73
   
 
   
 
   
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed

8
  Dulciana
73
4
  Gemshorn
73
8
  Geigen Principal
73
4
  Flauto Traverso
73
8
  Concert Flute
73
2
  Piccolo
61
8
  Unda Maris [TC]
61
8
  Clarinet
73
8
  Dolce
73
  [Tremolo]
8
  Vox Angelica
73
 
Chimes

25 tubes

8
  Silverette
73
   
   
   
Solo Organ (Manual IV) – 61 notes, enclosed

16
  Contra Gamba
73
16
  Tuba Profunda
73
8
  Stentorphone
73
8
  Tuba Harmonic [ext.]
12
8
  Flauto Major
73
4
  Tuba Clarion [ext.]
12
8
  Gross Gamba
73
8
  Orchestral Oboe
73
8
  Gamba Celeste
73
  Tremolo
4
  Flute Ouverte
73
   
   
   
Pedal Organ – 32 notes

32
  Magnaton
32
8
  Gross Floete [ext. O.D.]
12
16
  Open Diapason
32
8
  Dolce Flute [ext. Bdn.]
12
16
  Second Diapason
GT
4
  Octave Flute [ext. O.D.]
12
16
  Bourdon
32
16
  Fagotto
SW
16
  Violone
SO
16
  Trombone
32
16
  Gedackt
SW
16
  Tuba Profunda
SO
16
  Dulciana
CH
8
  Tuba Harmonic
SO
8
  Cello [fr. Gamba Celeste]
SO
   

               

Organ in church located on Northwest corner of 158th Street and Broadway:

J.H. & C.S. Odell
New York City (1800s)


Specifications of this organ have not yet been located.

               

Organ in first? building (ca.1847-ca.1872) that served as the Cemetery Chapel of Trinity Parish:

Henry Erben
New York City
(1851)
Mechanical action


Specifications of this organ have not yet been located.

               

Sources:
     Aeolian-Skinner Archives: http://aeolian-skinner.110mb.com/
     Dunlap, David. From Abyssinian to Zion: A Guide to Manhattan's Houses of Worship. New York: Columbia University Press, 2004.
     Gates, Milo Hudson. "A Description of the Chapel of the Intercession." New York City: Trinity Parish, 1931.
     "New Four-manual for New York City."The Diapason, February 1913, p. 4.
     Ochse, Orpha. Austin Organs. Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 2001.

Photos:
     Rust, John: color exterior, interior, organ

Photo c.1931
               

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