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/29 J.H. & C.S. Odell, Op. 116 (1872)
55th Street between Lexington and Third Aves. (1864-1872)
• Henry Erben & Co. (1864)
4th Street, corner of Avenue C (1842-1864)
• I/8 Geo. Jardine & Son (1857)
4th Street (1839-1842)
• unknown

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 on Fourth Street 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. It was formally organized by the Third Presbytery of New York on May 13, 1839, and consisted of 89 members. For three years the place of worship was edifice of the former Manhattan Island Church. A new church was erected on the corner of Fourth Street and Avenue C, and it was dedicated in October 1842. 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).

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. At this time, there were two Presbyterian bodies: the Old School and the New School. In 1869, the two General Assemblies united to the great joy of all Presbyterians in the country. In commemoration of this notable event, the Rev. Dr. Charles S. Robinson, pastor of the Eleventh Church, led his congregation to erect a memorial temple in which to worship in the future.


Madison Avenue & 53rd Street

The church on 55th Street was sold, and a new edifice, to be known as "The Presbyterian Memorial Church," was built on the southwest corner of Madison Avenue and 53rd Street. Designed by D. & J. Jardine in a "round Gothic" style, the new church and lecture room occupied a site measuring 125 feet fronting Madison Avenue by 120 feet along the street. Built entirely of Belleville and Dorchester stone at a cost of $310,000, the church was notable for its tower and spire that rose 220 above the sidewalk. The interior of the church had galleries on three sides and it was decorated in dark rich tints with a profusion of gilding. All woodwork and the paneling about the pulpit was of solid black walnut, and the organ loft was immediately behind the pulpit. Lighting of the gas jets was accomplished simultaneously by a new and improved process. The carpeting was of light Brussels in a yellowish cast, and the cushions of the seats were in crimson. Opening services were held on December 22, 1872, and on Sunday, January 26, 1873, the church was dedicated. In 1883, the society was officially renamed "Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church," after two previous societies by that name had gone out of existence.


	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 on the northeast corner of Madison Avenue and 73rd Street. The combined congregation was to take the name of Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, and 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

1923 Casavant Console

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 (1882-1972), 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 electronic dating from the renovation of the chapel in 1949.

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 Presbyterian Memorial Church located at 506 Madison Avenue and 53rd Street:

J.H. & C.S. Odell
New York City – Opus 116 (1872)
Mechanical action
2 manuals, 26 stops, 29 ranks

The organ in the new Presbyterian Memorial Church was built in 1872 by J.H. & C.S. Odell of New York City. Odell provided 26 stops that controlled 29 ranks, and there was a 34-note set of chimes. The case was of pine, painted and grained, and the facade pipes were decorated in various colors. The handwritten contract stated that the organ would be ready on or before October 1, 1872.

Great Organ (Manual I) – 58 notes

16
Double Open Diapason [TC]
46

4
Principal
58

16
Bourdon Bass
12

3
Twelfth
58

8
Open Diapason
58

2
Fifteenth
58

8
Keraulophon
58

Sesquialtra, 3 ranks
174

8
Dulce (grooved bass)
58

8
Trumpet
58

8
Clarionet Fl. & St. Diap. bass
58

8
Clarionet [TC]
46

4
Harmonic Flute
58

Swell Organ (Manual II) – 58 notes, enclosed

16
Bourdon Bass
12

2
Fifteenth
58

16
Double Diapason [TC]
46

Cornet, 2 ranks
116

8
Open Diapason
58

8
Cornopean [TC]
46

8
Dulciana (grooved bass)
58

8
Vox Humana [TC]
46

8
Stop Diapason
58

8
Hautbois }
58

4
Principal
58

8
Bassoon }

4
Flute á Cheminee [TC]
46

Tremulant

Pedal Organ – 25 notes

16
Open Diapason
25

8
Violoncello
25

16
Bourdon
25

Couplers &c

Swell to Great Unison Bellows Signal

Swell to Great Super Octave Swell to Great Reversible

Swell to Pedal Great to Pedal Reversible

Great to Pedal Chimes