Marble Collegiate Church - New York City (photo: Marble Collegiate Church)

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Marble Collegiate Church
(Reformed Church in America)

1 West 29th Street at Fifth Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10001
http://www.marblechurch.org


Organ Specifications:
III/83 Austin Organs Inc., Op. 2689 (1984)
III/31s Austin Organs Inc., Op. 2006 (1937)
III/14 Skinner Organ Company, Op. 525 (1925)
III/42 J.H. & C.S. Odell, Op. 296 (1891)
J.H. & C.S. Odell (1854)


The Collegiate Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of the City of New York was organized in 1628 under Peter Minuit, Director General of the New Netherland, and has the distinction of being the oldest Protestant denomination with a continuous ministry, and was also the first corporation in the United States. The first church, officially named St. Nicholas but known as the Stone Church, was completed in 1642 on a dusty lane (now Pearl Street) in The Fort of New Amsterdam. In 1692 it was taken over by the British troops, used as a military garrison, and eventually burned. A new church was built on Garden Street (now Exchange Place) in 1693. Known as the Garden Street Church, it was later called the Old South Church because of its geographical location in relation to the other Collegiate churches. In 1696, William III King of England granted a Charter to the church, thus ensuring religious liberty in the new colony. Along with the charter, the crown presented the church with nearly 500 acres of land located in what is now part of the Bronx, in New York City, and a section of Bronxville just north of the present city limits in Westchester County. In 1723, John Harpending, a pioneer tanner and shoemaker, gave an irregular tract of rolling farmland known as Shoemaker's Meadow. This property, which stretches between Maiden Lane and Ann Street and Broadway and William Street, today provides substantial income for the Collegiate Corporation.

  Interior of Marble Collegiate Church, ca. 1856 - New York City (photo: Marble Collegiate Church)

 

Interior, ca. 1856
Recognizing the northward expansion of the population, which by the 1850s had swelled to more than one million, the Consistory decided to build a new church at the corner of Fifth Avenue and West 29th Street at a time when Fifth Avenue was a dirt road, and the city limit was six blocks south at 23rd Street. Architect Samuel A. Warner designed an Early Romanesque Revival church with Gothic trim, which was built between 1851-54 of Tuckahoe marble blocks quarried in Hastings-on-Hudson, floated down the Hudson River, and then carted across town on large horse-drawn wagons. The 215-foot Wren-like steeple is topped by a gilded weathercock, a symbolic reminder of Peter's denial of Christ. The bell tower originally contained a Seth Thomas clock that had to be hand-wound once a week; it was later converted to electricity. The church interior featured free-hanging galleries on three sides, possibly the first example of this architectural device in the country. Known at first as the Fifth Avenue Collegiate Church and later as the Twenty-ninth Street Church, its name was officially changed in 1906 for the material of which it is made.

Marble Collegiate Church - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)  
During its first 18 years, the church relied on the rotating service of four ministers, a practice imported from Holland known as the "collegiate system". This system was discontinued in 1871 when the church called its first permanent minister. As the city expanded northward, the church benefited from being in the midst of a prosperous and fashionable residential neighborhood. By the 1930s, however, the city had moved further uptown, and the church was in a serious decline; this was abruptly reversed in 1932 with the beginning of Norman Vincent Peale's 52-year tenure as minister. Dr. Peale's books and televised services brought national fame to Marble Church.

Since its founding in 1628, the Collegiate Church built a total of 22 different churches and chapels on Manhattan Island. Today, there remain four Collegiate Churches: Marble, Middle, West End, and Fort Washington.
           

Austin Organ, Op. 2689 (1984) at Marble Collegiate Church - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)
Austin Organs Inc.
Hartford, Conn. – Opus 2689 (1984)
Electro-pneumatic action
Solid-state combination action
3 manuals, 81 stops, 83 ranks



By 1983, the organ was in need of urgent attention, and the decision was made to award a contract to Austin for an entirely new instrument (Opus 2689). At this time, the choir and organ console were returned to their original gallery location. The current instrument comprises 84 ranks over seven divisions, two of which are in free-standing cases flanking the chancel. The tonal concept, designed by then-Music Director Kevin Walters, is neo-Classic French style. Located in the ornate gallery case are the Récit and Choeur divisions on the lowest level, with the Pédale and Grande-Orgue divisions above. Two of the most beautiful stops date from previous instruments: the 32' Bourdon from the 1854 Odell, and the Flûte Céleste from the E.M. Skinner chancel organ. The organ was dedicated on January 23, 1985, by Simon Preston; the dedicatory series continued with a recital by William Whitehead, and a concert for organ, brass and choir conducted by Jack Ossewaarde, with Kevin Walters as organist.
               

GALLERY ORGAN

               
Grand-Orgue (Manual II) – 61 notes
16
  Montre
61
  Cornet III ranks *
122
8
  Principal
61
 
  Fourniture IV ranks
244
8
  Montre [ext.]
12
 
  Cymbale III ranks
183
8
  Bourdon
61
8
  Trompette
61
8
  Flûte harmonique
61
8
  Trompette en chamade
61
4
  Prestant
61
  Tremblant  
4
  Flûte à cheminée
61
 
  Cloches  
2
  Doublette
61
 
     
2
  Flûte conique
61
    * also draws 2' Fl. conique  

     

     
Récit (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Bourdon doux [ext.]
12
1
  Flageolet [ext.]
12
8
  Montre
61
 
  Sesquialtera II ranks [TC]
98
8
  Flûte à cheminée
61
 
  Plein jeu V ranks
305
8
  Viole de gambe
61
16
  Basson [ext.] [half-length]
12
8
  Voix céleste
61
8
  Trompette
61
8
  Flûte douce
61
8
  Hautbois
61
8
  Flûte céleste [TC]
49
8
  Voix humaine
61
4
  Prestant
61
4
  Clairon
61
4
  Flûte octaviante
61
    Tremblant  
2
  Octavin
61
8
  Trompette en chamade 
GO
1 1/3
  Larigot
61
 
     

     

     
Choeur (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
 
Quintaton
preparation
 
  Cymbale IV ranks
244
8
  Bourdon en bois
61
16
  Cor anglais [1-12 L/2]
61
8
  Viole
61
8
  Cromorne [mahogany]
61
8
  Viole céleste
61
4
  Chalumeau à cheminée
61
4
  Principal
61
    Tremblant  
4
  Flûte à pointe
61
8
  Trompette en chamade
GO
2 2/3
  Nasard
61
 
  Harpe  
2
  Quarte de nasard
61
 
  Celesta  
1 3/5
  Tierce
61
 
     

     

     
Pédale – 32 notes
32
  Contre Bourdon [ext.] *
8
2
  Flûte [ext.]
12
16
  Contre Basse
32
 
  Fourniture IV ranks
128
16
  Soubasse
32
32
  Contre Bombarde [ext.]
12
16
  Montre
GO
16
  Bombarde
32
16
  Quintaton
CH
16
  Basson
RÉC
16
  Bourdon Doux
RÉC
16
  Cor anglais
CH
8
  Octavebasse
32
8
  Trompette [ext.]
12
8
  Bourdon
32
8
  Trompette en chamade
GO
8
  Flûte à cheminée
RÉC
4
  Clairon [ext.]
12
4
  Basse de chorale
32
4
  Chalumeau à cheminée
CH
4
  Cor de Nuit
32
 
  * Notes 1-4 resultant  

     

     

CHANCEL ORGAN

     

     
Antiphonal (Manual II) – 61 notes
8
  Montre
61
 
  Fourniture III ranks
183
4
  Prestant
61
8
  Petite Trompette
61
2
  Doublette
61
 
     

     

     
Positif (Manual I) – 61 notes
8
  Flûte à cheminée
61

  Cymbale III ranks
183
4
  Flûte à fuseau
61

  Tremblant  
2
  Flûte à bec
61

  Clochettes  
1 1/3
  Quinte
61

     

     

     
Pédale – 32 notes
16
  Bourdon
32
4
   Octave
32
8
  Principal
32
 
     
               
Austin Organ, Op. 2689 (1984) at Marble Collegiate Church - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)
Austin Organ, Op. 2689 (1984) at Marble Collegiate Church - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)

           

Austin Organ, Op. 2006 (1937) at Marble Collegiate Church - New York City (photo: Organ Historical Society)
Austin Organs Inc.
Hartford, Conn. – Opus 2006 (1937)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals, 31 stops



In 1937, the Austin Organ Company of Hartford, Conn. rebuilt and enlarged the entire instrument again (Opus 2006), installing new windchests throughout and a new console. Minor tonal alterations were made by Austin in 1959 as Opus 2329.

Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.

           

Chancel Organ Cases at Marble Collegiate Church - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)
Skinner Organ Company
Boston, Mass. – Opus 525 (1925)
Electro-pneumatic action
22 stops, 14 registers, 14 ranks, 909 pipes
3-manual console

 

               
In 1925, the Odell chancel divisions were replaced and a new console installed by the E.M. Skinner Company of Boston. The Skinner chancel divisions were removed in 1937-38 by the Ernest M. Skinner & Son Organ Company, and most if not all of the pipes were moved to St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Allentown, Penn.
               
CHANCEL ORGAN
       

 

     
Great Organ – 61 notes
8
  Diapason
61
4
  Octave
61
8
  Waldfloete
61
4
  Flute
SW
8
  Gedeckt
SW
8
  Corno d'Amore
SW
8
  Flute Celeste
SW
       
               
Swell Organ – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Bourdon
73
8
  Flute Celeste [TC]
61
8
  Diapason
73
4
  Flute
61
8
  Gedeckt
73
16
  Fagotto
61
8
  Salicional
73
8
  Corno d'Amore
61
8
  Voix Celestes
73
    Tremolo  
8
  Flauto Dolce
73
       
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16
  Bourdon
32
8
  Still Gedeckt
SW
16
  Echo Lieblich
SW
16
  Fagotto
SW
8
  Gedeckt [ext.]
12
       

           

Odell Chancel Organ, Op. 296 (1891) at Marble Collegiate Church - New York City (Odell Co. Brochure, 1896)
J.H. & C.S. Odell & Co.
New York City – Opus 296 (1891)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals, 38 stops, 42 ranks



In 1891, in conjunction with repairs and improvements to the church, the original Odell organ was enlarged and electrified. A chancel division was added in two free-standing cases, and the console and choir were moved from the gallery to the chancel. The following specification was recorded in an organ notebook by Lynnwood Farnam (1885-1930), noted concert organist of the early 20th century.
       

 

     
Great Organ (Manual II) – 58 notes
    Gallery:       Chancel:  
16
  Double Open Diapason
58
8
  English Diapason
58
8
  Open Diapason
58
8
  Quintadena
58
8
  Viola da Gamba
58
8
  Melodia
58
8
  Gross Flöte
58
4
  Salicet
58
4
  Octave
58
8
  Tuba
58
2 2/3
  Twelfth
58
       
2
  Piccolo
58
       
    Mixture 4 ranks
232
       
8
  Trumpet
58
       
    Bellows Signal          
               
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 58 notes, enclosed
    Gallery:       Chancel:  
16
  Bourdon Bass
12
8
  Vox Celeste
58
16
  Bourdon Treble
46
8
  Dolce
58
8
  Open Diapason
58
8
  Cremona
58
8
  Salicional
58
4
  Flute Harmonique
58
8
  Stopped Diapason
58
       
4
  Violina
58
       
2
  Flageolet
58
       
    Cornet 3 ranks
174
       
8
  Vox Humana
58
       
8
  Oboe
58
       
    Tremulant          
               
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 58 notes
    Gallery:          
8
  Geigen Principal
58
       
8
  Dulciana
58
       
8
  Concert Flute
58
       
4
  Forest Flute
58
       
8
  Clarinet
58
       
               
Pedal Organ – 30 notes
16
  Sub Bass
30
       
16
  Double Open
30
       
16
  Bourdon
30
       
10 2/3
  Quint
30
       
8
  Violoncello
30
       
               
Couplers, etc. (over Swell manual)
    Great to Pedal       Swell to Great  
    Choir to Pedal       Swell to Great octave  
    Swell to Pedal       Great to Choir  
    Choir to Great       Swell to Choir  
            Chimes  

           

Odell Organ Case at Marble Collegiate Church - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)
J.H. & C.S. Odell & Co.
New York City (1854)
Mechanical action



The church's original organ was built in 1854 by J.H. & C.S. Odell of New York City and was located in a second gallery.

Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.

           
Sources:
     Aeolian-Skinner Archives: http://aeolian-skinner.110mb.com/
     Austin Organ, Op. 2689 specifications; courtesy Sebastian Glück.
     Bowen, Jonathan. Specifications of Skinner Organ, Op. 525.
     Dolkart, Andrew S. and Matthew A. Postal. Guide to New York City Landmarks (Third Edition). New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2004.
     Dunlap, David. From Abyssinian to Zion: A Guide to Manhattan's Houses of Worship. New York: Columbia University Press, 2004.
     Farnam, Lynnwood. "Organ Notebook," pp. 1364 (specification of 1891 Odell organ, Op. 296). John de Lancie Library, The Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia; Sally Branca, archivist; courtesy Jonathan Bowen.
     Kinzey, Allen, and Sand Lawn, comps. E.M. Skinner/Aeolian-Skinner Opus List. New Rev. Ed. Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 1997.
     Marble Collegiate Church website: http://www.marblechurch.org
     Nelson, George. Organs in the United States and Canada Database. Seattle, Wash.
     Ochse, Orpha. Austin Organs. Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 2001.
     J.H. & C.S. Odell & Company brochure, "Metropolitan Churches," 1896; courtesy Jeff Scofield.
     Odell Company Opus List, compiled by Sand Lawn; courtesy David Scribner.
     Ward, Emory. Faith of Our Fathers Living Still: The Story of Marble Collegiate Church. New York: Marble Collegiate Church, 1978.

Photos:
     Marble Collegiate Church: black and white interior.
     J.H. & C.S. Odell & Company brochure, "Metropolitan Churches," 1896; courtesy Jeff Scofield: Odell Organ Chancel Cases, Op. 296 (1891).
     Organ Historical Society: black and white organ case.
     Lawson, Steven E.: color photos of organ and interior.
           

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