Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church


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Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church

921 Madison Avenue at 73rd Street
New York, N.Y. 10021
http://www.mapc.com

Organ Specifications:
921 Madison Avenue at 73rd Street (since 1899):
► III/73 Casavant Frères, Op. 2660 (1961), rev. (2000)
► IV/73 Casavant Frères, Op. 1000 (1923)
► III/38 Hook & Hastings, Op. 1880 (1900)
► II/4 Schantz Organ Co., Op. 506 (1961) – Chapel
506 Madison Avenue at 53rd Street (1872-1899):
• II/28 J.H. & C.S. Odell, Op. 116 (1872)
55th Street between Lexington and Third Aves. (1864-1872)
• Henry Erben & Co. (1864)
• I/8 Geo. Jardine & Son (1857)

The congregation known today as Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church can trace its roots to the organization in 1834 of the Manhattan Island Presbyterian Church, located near the Lower East Side shipyards and also called the Church in the Swamp. This struggling congregation expired a few years later, but in 1838 some of its erstwhile members united with a contingent from the old Seventh Presbyterian Church to form the Eleventh Presbyterian Church. Old church records indicate some of the tribulations it survived. A controversy was reported in the Mexican War era over the introduction of organ music, which some opposed as a dangerous theatrical diversion. During the Civil War a member was reportedly tried by Session for reading Sunday newspapers and for objecting to legal penalties for not attending church services (that case was dismissed with admonition).


Madison Avenue & 53rd Street

In 1864, the now vigorous Eleventh Presbyterian Church moved northward to 55th Street between Lexington and Third Avenues, where it merged with the Memorial Presbyterian Church. To obtain larger facilities, a new Gothic church designed by D. & J. Jardine was built on Madison Avenue at the corner of 53rd Street. At that time, the society assumed the name by which it has since been known, the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church. (A previous Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, at Madison Avenue and 47th Street, had disbanded some years earlier.)


	Phillips Presbyterian Church

One more move lay in store. In 1899, the congregation united with the Phillips Presbyterian Church, which had evolved from the downtown Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church that had been organized in 1844. The Phillips Church, named in honor of the Rev. William Wirt Phillips, had been established in 1858 under the leadership of James Lenox, a distinguished Presbyterian who had donated the land in the area now known as Lenox Hill. At the time of the merger, the Phillips Church was worshiping in a Victorian Gothic building designed by R. H. Robertson and erected in 1873. Plans were made for a new sanctuary on the site of the old, retaining a portion of the Phillips building for meeting rooms, offices, and choir rehearsals. This annex, known at the Phillips Chapel, is extant on 73rd Street.

The present Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church was designed in 1899 by James E. Ware & Son and opened the following year. Ware & Son's plans called for a flat limestone exterior, a steeply-pitched roof, and a corner tower that was crowned with rounded pinnacles and a cone-shaped steeple. Inside, the spacious sanctuary had a raked main floor with galleries on three sides. Natural illuminatation was provided by three divided windows and dormers on the south, and a large window over the west gallery. In 1916, the multi-storied church house was built on Madison Avenue, providing space for the large Sunday School, numerous meeting rooms and administrative offices, a gymnasium, swimming pool and bowling alley. Both the church house and sanctuary were refurbished in 1961 at a cost of $1 million. At that time, the Madison Avenue facade was altered when a single carved portal replaced three arched doorways that had been adorned with finials. The chancel was enlarged and provided with movable choir pews and pulpit so that the area could be used as a stage, and a large gilded cross was hung in front of a new wood-and-fiberglass reredos that concealed pipes of the new Casavant organ. In 1999-2000, the sanctuary was renovated again when a new marble floor was installed in a reconfigured chancel, the main floor was leveled, the narthex was enlarged, new lighting installed, and architectural and decorative features were uncovered and restored.

Casavant Frères, Limitée
St. Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada – Opus 2660 (1961)
Electro-pneumatic key action
Solid-state stop and combination action
Console and additions by Schantz Organ Company (2000)
3 manuals, 70 stops, 73 pipe ranks, 4,201 pipes

In 1961, an entirely new Casavant organ was installed, as designed by Lawrence Phelps of Casavant in conjunction with Dr. George B. Markey, organist and choir director, and Dr. Robert Baker, consultant. The dedication concert on March 4, 1962 featured Dr. Markey as organist, with an orchestra comprised of students from The Juilliard School, and the church choir. Dr. Seth Bingham, Organist Emeritus, conducted the premiere of his composition, "Sing to the Lord a New Song," for organ and choir. In 2000, the Schantz Organ Company installed additional pipe and digital ranks, a solid-state combination action, and a new three-manual drawknob console. The console is MIDI-capable and movable from its new location in a lift-equipped pit behind the communion table.

Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes

16
Bourdon * °
—

4
Flûte à Cheminée
61

16
Quintaton
61

2 2/3
Quinte
61

8
Open Diapason *
61

2
Flûte à Bec
61

8
Montre
61

1 3/5
Tierce #
57

8
Bourdon
61

1 1/3
Fourniture IV ranks
244

8
Cor de Chamois
61

2/3
Cymbale IV ranks
244

4
Prestant
61

# original Doublette 2' moved down

Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed

8
Principal
68

2
Plein Jeu V ranks
305

8
Gambe
68

16
Petite Bombarde +
68

8
Voix Céleste
68

8
Trompette +
68

8
Flûte à Cheminée
68

8
Hautbois
68

4
Octave
68

8
Voix Humaine
68

4
Flûte Ouverte
68

4
Clairon +
68

2
Doublette
61

Tremblant

1 1/3
Larigot
61

+ replaced by Möller in late 1960s

Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed

16
Dulciane
68

2 2/3
Nazard
61

8
Principal * [unenclosed]
61

2
Octave
61

8
Viole
68

2
Flûte des Bois
61

8
Viole Céleste
68

1 3/5
Tierce
61

8
Flûte Harmonique
68

1
Cymbale IV ranks
244

8
Flûte Bouchée
68

16
Basson
68

8
Conteur
68

8
Cor Anglais
68

8
Conteur Céleste
68

4
Chalumeau à Cheminée
68

4
Principal
68

8
Bombarde [unenclosed]
68

4
Flûte d'Accoupl.
68

Tremblant

Pedal Organ – 32 notes

32
Open Wood * °
—

4
Cor de Nuit
32

32
Soubasse [ext.]
12

4
Dulciane
CH

16
Open Wood * °
—

2 2/3
Fourniture IV ranks
128

16
Open Diapason
32

32
Bombardon
32

16
Contrebasse
32

16
Bombarde
32

16
Soubasse
32

16
Petite Bombarde
SW

16
Quintaton
GT

16
Basson
CH

16
Bourdon * °
GT

8
Trompette
32

16
Dulciane
CH

8
Basson
CH

8
Principal
32

4
Chalumeau
32

8
Flûte Couverte
32

4
Basson
CH

8
Dulciane
CH

* added by Schantz Organs (2000)

4
Octave
32
° Walker digital ranks by Schantz (2000)

Couplers

Great to Pedal 8' Pedal to Great 8'

Swell to Pedal 8', 4' Swell to Choir 16', 8', 4'

Choir to Pedal 8', 4' Great to Choir 8'

Swell to Great 16', 8', 4' Choir to Swell 8'

Choir to Great 16', 8', 4'

Adjustable Combinations

Pistons No. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 affecting Entire Organ (thumb & toe)

Pistons No. 11-12-13-14 affecting Entire Organ (thumb)

Pistons No. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 affecting Swell Organ stops (thumb)

Pistons No. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 affecting Great Organ stops (thumb)

Pistons No. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 affecting Choir Organ stops (thumb)

Pistons No. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 affecting Pedal Organ stops (toe)

Schantz Console (2000)

Original Casavant Console, Op. 2660

Casavant Frères, Limitée
St. Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada – Opus 1000 (1923)
Electro-pneumatic action
4 manuals, 84 stops, 73 ranks

In 1923, Casavant Frères was contracted to rebuild and enlarge the 1900 Hook & Hastings organ, to the specifications of Seth Bingham, who was organist and choirmaster from 1913 until his retirement in 1951.

Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes

16
Open Diapason
61

2 2/3
Twelfth
61

8
Diapason I *
61

2
Fifteenth
61

8
Diapason II
61

1 1/7
Septième *
61

8
Doppel Flute
61

Mixture III ranks
183

8
Traverse Flute *
61

8
Trumpet
61

8
Dolce *
61

4
Clarion *
61

4
Octave
61

Chimes
EC

4
Harmonic Flute
61

Celesta
CH

Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed

16
Contra Gamba *
73

2 2/3
Nazard *
73

8
Diapason I *
73

2
Flautina *
61

8
Diapason II
73

Dolce Cornet IV ranks *
292

8
Gedeckt
73

16
Double Trumpet *
73

8
Flute Céleste *
73

8
Cornopean
73

8
Erzähler *
73

8
Oboe
73

8
Salicional
73

4
Clarion *
73

8
Voix Céleste
73

8
Vox Humana
73

8
Aeoline
73

Chimes
EC

4
Violina
73
Celesta
CH

4
Flute
73
Tremulant

Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed

16
Bourdon
73

4
Flute d'Amour
73

16
Contra Dolce
73

2
Piccolo *
61

8
Diapason *
73

1 3/5
Tierce *
73

8
Melodia
73

Mixture III ranks
219

8
Gedeckt
73

8
Trumpet *
73

8
Dulciana
73

8
Cor Anglais
73

8
Unda Maris *
73

8
Clarinet
73

8
Geigen
73

Celesta
preparation

8
Geigen Celeste
73

Celesta Sub
—

8
Quintadena *
73

Chimes
EC

4
Fugara
73

Tremulant

Solo Organ (Manual IV) – 61 notes, enclosed

8
Stentorphone *
73

8
Tuba Mirabilis *
73

8
Gross Flute *
73

8
Musette *
73

8
Gamba *
73

Chimes
EC

8
Gamba Celeste *
73

Celesta
CH

8
Gemshorn *
73

Tremulant

4
Hohlpfeife *
73

Echo Organ – 61 notes, enclosed (console preparation)

8
Erzähler
(73)

8
Cromorne
(73)

8
Cor de Nuit
(73)

8
Vox Humana
(73)

8
Vox Angelica
(73)

Chimes
(25 tubes)

4
Fern Flute
(73)

Tremulant

Pedal Organ – 32 notes

32
Contra Bourdon [ext.]
12

8
Cello
32

16
Open Diapason
32

8
Gedeckt
12

16
Bourdon
32

4
Flute *
32

16
Lieblich *
32

32

Bombarde
1-12 preparation

16
Violone *
32

16
Trombone *
32

16
Contra Gamba
SW

16
Double Trumpet
SW

16
Contra Dolce
CH

8
Tromba [ext.] *
12

10 2/3
Quint [Bourdon]
—

Chimes
EC

8
Bass Flute [ext.]
12

*
new ranks by Casavant in 1923

Couplers

Swell to Pedal 8', 4' Swell to Solo 8'

Great to Pedal 8' Choir to Solo 8'

Choir to Pedal 8', 4' Great to Solo 8'

Solo to Pedal 8', 4' Swell 16', 4'

Swell to Great 16', 8', 4' Choir 16', 4'

Choir to Great 16', 8', 4' Solo 16', 4'

Solo to Great 16', 8', 4' Echo to Pedal 8'

Swell to Choir 8' Echo to Solo 16', 8', 4'

Solo to Choir 8' Echo On Solo Off

Solo to Swell 8'

Adjustable Combination Pistons

Pistons No. 1-2-3-4-0-Ped0 affecting Solo & Pedal stops

Pistons No. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-0-Ped0 affecting Swell & Pedal stops

Pistons No. 1-2-3-4-5-6-0-Ped0 affecting Great & Pedal stops

Pistons No. 1-2-3-4-5-0-Ped0 affecting Choir & Pedal stops

Pistons No. 1-2-3-4-5-0 affecting Pedal stops

Pistons No. 1-2-3-4-5-6-Ped0 affecting Entire stops and couplers

Pistons No. 1-2 affecting Echo stops

General Release affecting manuals only

Coupler cancel hand

All boxes to Swell Pedal hand & foot

Hook & Hastings
Boston, Mass. – Opus 1880 (1900)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals, 44 stops, 38 ranks

The original organ in the present church was built in 1900 by Hook & Hastings of Boston.

Great Organ (Manual II)

16
Open Diapason
4
Flute Harmonique

8
Open Diapason
2 2/3
Twelfth

8
Viol d'Gamba
2
Fifteenth

8
Gross Flote

Mixture III ranks

4
Octave
8
Trumpet

Swell Organ (Manual III), enclosed

16
Bourdon
4
Violina

8
Open Diapason

Dolce Cornet III ranks

8
Stopped Diapason
8
Cornopean

8
Salicional
8
Oboe

8
Voix Celeste
8
Vox Humana

8
Aeoline

Tremolo

4
Flauto Traverso

Choir Organ (Manual I)

8
Geigen Principal
4
Flute d'Amour

8
Melodia
8
Clarinet

8
Dulciana

Tremolo

4
Fugara

Pedal Organ

16
Open Diapason
8
Flute

16
Bourdon
8
Gedeckt

10 2/3
Quint
8
Violoncello

Organ in Dana Chapel:

Schantz Organ Company
Orrville, Ohio – Opus 506 (1961)
Electro-pneumatic action
2 manuals, 23 stops, 4 ranks

The Schantz organ in Dana Chapel was originally built for the Lower Sanctuary of the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Newark, N.J. In 1978, the organ was purchased by Madison Avenue Presbyterian, and was installed in September 1978 by Ronald C. Bishop, the area Schantz representative. This instrument replaced an Allen electronic organ from the 1960s, which replaced a Hammond dating from the chapel renovation from the early 1950s.

Great Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed

8
Diapason
2 2/3
Spitznasat

8
Gedeckt
2
Super Octave

8
Spitzflöte
8
Trompette

4
Octave
4
Clairon

4
Flute

Swell Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed

8
Gedeckt
2 2/3
Nazard

8
Spitzflöte
2
Spitzflöte

4
Octave
8
Trompette

4
Spitzflöte
4
Clairon

Pedal Organ – 32 notes, enclosed

16
Lieblich Gedeckt
4
Spitzflöte

8
Principal
4
Super Octave

8
Gedeckt
8
Trompette

Stop Analysis

Pipes

16
Gedeckt
97

8
Diapason
85

8
Spitzflöte
85

8
Trompette
73

Total

340

Organ in church located at 506 Madison Avenue and 53rd Street:

J.H. & C.S. Odell
New York City – Opus 116 (1872)
Mechanical action
2 manuals, 28 stops

Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.

Organ in Memorial Presbyterian Church on East 55th Street:

Henry Erben & Co.
New York City (1864)
Mechanical action

Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.

Organ in "55th Street" (Memorial) Presbyterian Church on East 55th Street and Third Avenue:

Geo. Jardine & Son
New York City (1857)
Mechanical action
1 manual, 8 stops

Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.

Sources:
     Deems, Charles Force. Frank Leslie's Sunday Magazine, Vol. XII (July-Dec. 1882). New York: Frank Leslie's Publishing House, 1882.
     Farnam, Lynnwood. "Organ Notebook" with specification of Hook & Hastings Organ, Op. 1880 (1900). John de Lancie Library, The Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia; courtesy Sally Branca, archivist, and Jonathan Bowen.
     Henderson, Andrew C. Information on the provenance of the Schantz organ in Dana Chapel.
     Jardine Opus List, compiled by Sand Lawn; courtesy David Scribner.
     Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church website: http://www.mapc.com
     Nelson, George. Organs in the United States and Canada Database. Seattle, Wash.
     "Renewed Edifice Opens to Worship," The New York Times, November 13, 1961.
     Scheer, Stanley. Factory Specification of Casavant Frères Organ, Op. 1000, April 15, 1931.
     Scheer, Stanley. Factory Specification of Casavant Frères Organ, Op. 2660, January 23, 1961.
     Van Pelt, William T., compiler. The Hook Opus List, 1829-1916 in Facsimile. Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 1991.

Photos:
     Deems, Charles Force. Frank Leslie's Sunday Magazine, Vol. XII (July-Dec. 1882): Memorial Presbyterian.
     Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church Archives: photos of Casavant organ, Op. 1000 and Hook & Hastings organ, Op. 1880.
     Lawson, Steven E.: church interior; Schantz Organ Company console (2000); Dana Chapel.
     Scofield, Jeff: original console of Casavant Frères Organ, Op. 2660 (1961).

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