Church of St. Francis Xavier - New York City
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Church of St. Francis Xavier
(Roman Catholic)

30 West 16th Street
New York, N.Y. 10011
http://www.sfxavier.org/


Organ Specifications:
Present building (since 1882)
► III/52 Peragallo Pipe Organ Company, Op. 700 (2010) – Chancel
► III/22 Kilgen Organ Company, Op. 7813 (1957) – Gallery
► IV/82 Casavant Frères, Op. 184 (1903); reb. Gallery organ
► IV/81 E. & G.G. Hook & Hastings, Op. 1022 (1881) – Gallery
• II/27reg E. & G.G. Hook & Hastings, Op. 1021 (1881) – Chancel
► II/20 E. & G.G. Hook & Hastings, Op. 1024 (1881) – Lower Church
First building (1851-1882)
► II/29 Henry Erben (1851)



The parish of St. Francis Xavier can trace its origin to 1847 when Father John Larkin and three other Jesuits established the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus in Lower Manhattan. Father Larkin purchased a former Protestant church on Elizabeth Street near Walker Street, and in its basement founded an academy with 120 scholars. Unfortunately, a fire caused by a new furnace in the cellar completely destroyed the building on January 28, 1848. It was decided not to rebuild on the old site, so Father Larkin sold the property. The academy was relocated temporarily to the basement of St. James's Church until Father Larkin was able to rent two houses on Third Avenue.

 
Original Church  
 
Soon thereafter, Father Larkin was astonished to receive a letter notifying him that he had been appointed Bishop of Toronto. His superiors granted permission for him to escape to France in order to avoid this honor. His successor, Father John Ryan, continued to search for a proper location for a permanent college, finally acquiring the present location on West 15th and 16th Streets, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Plans were drawn up for a new church and college, to be named in honor of St. Francis Xavier. The cornerstone for the church, which faced 16th Street, was laid on September 24, 1850, and the completed church was dedicated by Archbishop Hughes on July 6, 1851. The first college building, facing 15th Street, was opened on November 25, 1850.

Tragedy struck on the evening of March 8, 1877, when the church was filled with a congregation exclusively of women. During the sermon, a hysterical woman in one of the galleries needlessly shouted "Fire!" and the resulting panic caused seven people — six women and a little boy — to be trampled to death.

Due in part to the great tragedy, it was decided to erect a new and larger structure on land immediately to the west of the old church. The cornerstone was laid "with imposing ceremonies" on May 5, 1878, attended by about 5,000 persons. By this time the side walls were about six or seven feet high and the chancel wall was nearly completed. The New York Times (May 6, 1878) reported that "The whole floor-level and walls had been planked over to accommodate spectators, and at the chancel end a higher platform had been erected for the clergy, choir, and orchestra." Built from 1878 to 1882, the church was designed by Patrick C. Keely, the prolific ecclesiastical architect from Brooklyn. Keely was known for his Gothic designs, but for St. Francis Xavier he created an exhuberant building in the classical "Roman Basilica" style. Facing 16th Street is the rock-faced facade of bluish-gray granite. The main entrances are sheltered by a gabled portico that measures 48 by 14 feet and rises to a height of 104 feet. A planned campanile tower was to be 180 feet high, but it was never built. Extending from street to street, the extreme length from the portico to the chancel wall is 190 feet, while the breadth of the nave and aisles is 178 feet. Rising to a height of about 74 feet, the interior of the upper church features frescoed medallions on the decorated barrel-vault ceiling and large murals of the stations between pilasters on the sides. There are five altars: the high altar in the middle, and those dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, St. Joseph, the Sacred Heart, and St. Aloysius. All are built of marble, with pillars of Mexican and Californian onyx. Numerous niches and brackets support statues of saints. The completed church was dedicated by Archbishop Corrigan on Sunday, December 3, 1882.

After nearly 120 years of use, the church building was in need of substantial repairs, cleaning and restorative work. From 2000-2010 the congregation undertook a $12 million capital campaign to renew, renovate and restore the church interior and exterior. At this time the sanctuary (chancel) was reconfigured and enlarged by removing several rows of pews. The original high altar and reredos were moved forward to provide space behind for a new sacristy, and a new baptismal pool was constructed in front of the high altar. The liturgical south transept was reconfigured to provide flexible accomodations for choir seating, the organ console and grand piano. New organ chambers were created at the triforium level of the transepts. The renewed church was rededicated on Sunday, June 19, 2010.
         
  Peragallo Organ, Op. 700 (2010) in the Church of St. Francis Xavier - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)
Chancel Organ

Peragallo Pipe Organ Company
Paterson, N.J. – Opus 700 (2010)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals, 92 registers, 52 pipe ranks



As part of its restoration campaign, the church contracted with the Peragallo Pipe Organ Company of Paterson, N.J., to build a new organ. Completed in 2010, Peragallo's Opus 700 is a hybrid organ that combines a total of 52 ranks of pipes—including 23 ranks from the previous Kilgen gallery organ—with several digital stops. The organ was designed with a French tonal scheme by John Peragallo III, Tonal Director of the company, in consultation with John Uehlein, Director of Music.

The main instrument is installed in two chambers that were created in the triforium on each side of the chancel. Fronting the four tone openings into the chancel and transepts are oak cases with façades of functional pipes that have gothic gold arched mouths. Frank Peragallo designed the case work. The Grand-Orgue, Grand-Choeur and Pédale divisions are located in the east (liturgical north) chamber and the Récit and Positif divisions are in the west (liturgical south) chamber. The Antiphonale division at the rear of the church is comprised of eight digital stops that emanate from behind the original organ case plus the 49 gold-painted pipes of the Trompette en chamade that are mounted at the base of the case. Built in 1881 by E. & G.G. Hook & Hastings of Boston, the noble hand-carved organ case was restored and its façade pipes were painted silver with gold mouths. Controlling the organ is a movable three-manual French-style console with terraced drawknobs and a hand-carved music rack that incorporates the Xavier cross. A complete MIDI interface and sound module allows the organist to access many digital effects for contemporary worship music and record and playback the instrument.

The organ was dedicated on October 11, 2010, with a recital by organist Matthew Phelps, assisted by mezzo-soprano Robin Lynne Frye.

The following specifications were provided by the builder but did not include pipecounts nor indications which stops are digital.
               
Trompette en chamade of Peragallo Organ, Op. 700 (2010) in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)   Restored organ case by E. & G.G. Hook & Hastings (1881, Op. 1022) in the Church of St. Francis Xavier - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)   Peragallo Organ, Op. 700 (2010) in the Church of St. Francis Xavier - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)   Peragallo Organ, Op. 700 (2010) in the Church of St. Francis Xavier - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)
               
Grand-Orgue (Manual I) – 61 notes
16
   Violone  
2
   Flûte à bec  
8
   Montre  
1 3/5
   Tierce  
8
   Gambe       Fourniture IV ranks  
8
   Flûte harmonique       Plein jeu IV ranks  
8
   Flûte bouchée
digital
     Cymbale III ranks  
4
   Prestant  
16
   Contre Trompette  
4
   Flûte octaviante  
8
   Trompette  
2 2/3
   Quinte  
4
  
Clairon
  
2
   Doublette      
Tremblant
  
               
Grand-Choeur (Manual I) – 61 notes
16
   Montre  
2
   Octavin  
8
   Montre       Plein jeu harm. VIII ranks  
8
   Flûte majeur       Carillon III ranks  
5 1/3
   Grosse Quinte  
8
   Trompette harmonique  
4
   Prestant  
4
   Clairon harmonique  
3 1/5
   Grosse Tierce          
               
Positif (Manual II) – 61 notes
16
   Flûte conique  
1 3/5
   Tierce  
8
   Montre  
1 1/3
   Larigot  
8
   Bourdon en bois  
1
   Piccolo  
8
   Flûte traversière *       Fourniture IV ranks  
8
   Cor de chamois *  
16
   Douçaine  
8
   Cor de chamois céleste *  
8
   Trompette  
4
   Prestant  
8
   Cromorne  
4
   Flûte à fuseau       Tremblant  
2 2/3
   Nasard       Positif Muet  
2
   Octavin  
8
   Trompette en chamade (TC)
ANT
2
   Quarte de Nasard      
* enclosed in Récit
 
      
 
    
Récit espressif (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Bourdon doux       Cymbale IV ranks  
8
   Montre  
16
   Basson  
8
   Flûte à cheminée  
8
   Trompette  
8
   Viole de gambe  
8
   Hautbois  
8
   Voix céleste  
8
   Voix humaine
digital
4
   Prestant  
4
   Clairon  
4
   Flûte ouverte       Tremblant  
2 2/3
   Nasard
digital
     Récit 16'  
2
   Doublette       Récit Muet  
2
   Flûte octaviante       Récit 4'  
    Plein jeu III ranks  
8
   Trompette harmonique
G-C
               
Antiphonale (floating) – 61 notes, expressive (speakers behind gallery case)
8
   Montre
digital
     Grande Fourniture V ranks
digital
8
   Flûte à pavillon
digital
16
   Cor de basset
digital
8
   Violoncelle céleste II ranks
digital
8
   Trompette
digital
4
   Prestant
digital
     Tremblant  
4
   Flûte traversière
digital
8
   Trompette en chamade (TC)
49
               
Pédale – 32 notes
32
   Contrebasse [ext.]
digital
8
   Flûte doux
RÉC
32
   Contre Bourdon [ext.]
digital
4
   Doublette
—
16
   Flûte ouverte
digital
     Fourniture harmonique V rks  
16
   Montre
56
     Cornet de Bombarde IX rks  
16
   Violone
G-O
32
   Contre Bombarde [ext.]
digital
16
   Bourdon
44
16
   Bombarde  
16
   Bourdon doux
RÉC
16
   Contre Trompette
G-O
8
   Montre
—
8
   Trompette harmonique
G-C
8
   Bourdon
—
8
   Bombarde
—
               
Couplers
    Grand-Orgue à Pédale 8'     Récit à Positif 16', 8', 4'
    Grand-Choeur à Pédale 8', 4'     Grand-Orgue à Positif 8'
    Positif à Pédale 8', 4'     Grand-Choeur à Positif 8'
    Récit à Pédale 8', 4'     Antiphonale à Récit
    Antiphonale à Pédale 8'     Antiphonale à Grand-Orgue
    Récit à Grand-Orgue 16', 8', 4'     Antiphonale à Positif
    Positif à Grand-Orgue 16', 8', 4'      
    Grand-Choeur à Grand-Orgue 8'     Manual Transfer
           
Adjustable Combinations
   
Grand-Orgue Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6 (thumb)
Grand-Choeur Pistons 1-2-3 (thumb)
Positif Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6 (thumb)
Récit Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6 (thumb)
Antiphonale Pistons 1-2-3 (thumb)
Pédale Pistons 1-2-3-4-5 (thumb, duplicated by toe)
General Pistons 1-12 (thumb & toe); Pistons 13-14 (thumb)
           
Reversibles
    Grand-Orgue à Pédale (thumb & toe)   32' Contre Bourdon (toe)
    Positif à Pédale (thumb & toe)   32' Contre Bombarde (toe)
    Récit à Pédale (thumb & toe)   16' Bombarde (toe)
    Grand-Choeur à Grand-Orgue (thumb)   Cymbal des etoiles (toe)
    Tutti (thumb & toe)    
           
Piston Sequencer Controls
    Next (toe) – bottom row, immediately to right of Crescendo Pedal
    Next (thumb) – under Positif a22    
    Prev (thumb) – under Récit a22    
         
Expression
    Balanced Pedal for Récit espressif    
    Balanced Pedal for Antiphonale    
    Balanced Crescendo Pedal    
           
Gallery Organ

Kilgen Organ Company
St. Louis, Mo. – Opus 7813 (1957)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals, 24 stops, 22 ranks


In 1957, the Kilgen Organ Company of St. Louis installed a new three-manual organ behind the 1881 E. & G.G. Hook & Hastings case in the gallery. Since its installation, the organ was modified by area organ builders; at the time of its removal in 2009 more than 30 ranks were connected or in storage behind the case.

The following stoplist was provided by Rollin Smith, noted organ historian and concert organist. Pipecounts were not included but are suggested as based on similar Kilgen organs of that era.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
8
   Diapason
61
2
   Super Octave
61
8
   Bourdon
61
     Great to Great 16'  
8
   Gemshorn
61
     Unison Off  
4
   Principal
61
     Great to Great 4'
2 2/3
   Quint
61
        
 
      
 
      
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Geigen Principal
73
8
   Oboe
73
8
   Rohr Flute
73
     Tremolo  
8
   Viola d'Gamba
73
     Swell to Swell 16'  
8
   Viola Celeste (TC)
61
     Unison Off  
4
   Harmonic Flute
73
     Swell to Swell 4'  
    Plein Jeu III ranks
183
        
               
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Concert Flute
61
     Tremolo  
8
   Dulciana
61
     Choir to Choir 16'  
8
   Unda Maris
61
     Unison Off  
4
   Zart Flute
61
     Choir to Choir 4'  
2 2/3
   Nazard
61
        
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16
   Contra Bass
32
8
   Bass Flute
—
16
   Bourdon [unit]
56
8
   Rohr Bourdon
SW
16
   Rohr Bourdon
SW
4
   Block Flute
—
               
Couplers
    Great to Pedal 8', 4'     Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'
    Swell to Pedal 8', 4'     Choir to Great 16', 8', 4'
    Choir to Pedal 8'     Swell to Choir 16', 8', 4'
           
Adjustable Combinations
    Five Pistons to Great Organ      
    Five Pistons to Swell Organ      
    Five Pistons to Choir Organ      
    Five General Pistons      
           
  Pietro Yon at the Casavant Frères, Op. 184 (1903) in the Church of St. Francis Xavier - New York City (Underwood & Underwood, 1919)
  Pietro Yon at the Casavant Frères console (1919)
Gallery Organ

Casavant Frères, Limitée
St. Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada – Opus 184 (1903)
Electro-pneumatic key and combination action
4 manuals, 70 stops, 82 ranks








In 1902, Casavant Frères was engaged to electrify, rebuild and enlarge the 1881 E. & G.G. Hook & Hastings organ in the gallery. The contract, dated September 24, 1902, shows that Casavant would install electro-pneumatic action, add four new stops in the Solo and six additional couplers, and rebuild the console. Casavant also extended the manual ranks to 61 notes (with 65 pipes for the Solo ranks) and lowered the pitch to "International" A=435. At a total cost of $6,350, the organ was to be installed and working on or before the 8th day of September 1903. In a memo on the same day, the Rev. David W. Hearns, S.J., Rector of the church, approved the addition of a Cor Anglais stop for the sum of $150. Sadly, this grand organ was removed in October 1957 and was replaced by a Geo. Kilgen & Son organ having only 21 ranks.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
16
   Double Open Diapason
61
4
   Flute Harmonique
61
16
   Quintaton
61
4
   Gambetta
61
8
   Open Diapason
61
4
   Octave
61
8
   Clarabella
61
2 2/3
   Twelfth
61
8
   Doppel Flöte
61
2
   Fifteenth
61
8
   Viola da Gamba
61
     Mixture V ranks
305
8
   Gemshorn
61
16
   Bombarde
61
8
   Viol d'Amour
61
8
   Trumpet
61
5 1/3
   Quint
61
4
   Clarion
61
 
      
 
      
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Bourdon
61
2 2/3
   Nazard
61
8
   Open Diapason
61
2
   Flautino
61
8
   Stopped Diapason
61
     Mixture IV ranks
244
8
   Violoncello
61
     Dolce Cornet V ranks
305
8
   Salicional
61
16
   Contra Fagotto
61
8
   Voix Céleste
61
8
   Cornopean
61
8
   Quintadena
61
8
   Oboe
61
4
   Violina
61
8
   Vox Humana
61
4
   Flauto Traverso
61
4
   Clarion
61
4
   Octave
61
        
               
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Lieblich Gedakt
61
4
   Fugara
61
8
   Geigen Principal
61
4
   Flute d'Amour
61
8
   Open Diapason
61
4
   Hohlpfeife
61
8
   Melodia
61
2
   Piccolo
61
8
   Rohr Flute
61
8
   Clarinet
61
8
   Dulciana
61
        
               
Solo Organ (Manual IV) – 61 notes, enclosed with Choir
8
   Stentorphone
65
2
   Piccolo *
65
8
   Viola
65
8
   Tuba Mirabilis
65
8
   Philomela
65
8
   Clarinet *
65
8
   Unda Maris *
118
8
   Oboe *
65
4
   Flauto Traverso
65
8
   Cor Anglais *
65
4
   Octave Viola
65
    
* ranks added by Casavant Frères (1903)
 
      
 
      
Pedal Organ – 30 notes
32
   Bourdon
30
8
   Violoncello
30
16
   Open Diapason
30
4
   Super-Octave
30
16
   Violone
30
16
   Trombone
30
16
   Bourdon
30
8
   Posaune
30
10 2/3
   Quint
30
8
   Fagotto
30
8
   Octave
30
        
               
Couplers, etc.
    Great to Pedal     Swell to Choir
    Swell to Pedal     Great to Solo
    Choir to Pedal     Swell to Solo
    Solo to Pedal     Choir to Solo
    Swell to Great     Solo Sub-Oct. on itself
    Choir to Great     Tremulant to Swell
    Solo to Great     Tremulant to Solo
    Solo Super-Oct. to Great     Swell Super-Oct. to Pedal
    Choir Sub-Oct. to Great     Solo Super-Oct. to Pedal
    Solo to Choir      
           
Adjustable Pistons, Etc.
    Six Pistons to Great and Pedal     Four Pistons acting on all the stops
    Six Pistons to Swell           and couplers
    Four Pistons to Solo     One Piston to adjust all combinations
    Three Pistons to Choir      
           
Pedals
    One Crescendo Pedal acting on all stops and couplers without moving the knobs.
    One Swell Pedal
    One Choir and Solo Pedal
    Four reversible Pedals acting on Manual to Pedal Couplers.
               
Details of Construction
1.
   The pipes, the case and front, the swell box will be used, all the rest will be new.
2.
   The action will be our improved electro-pneumatic action working with a battery of seven cells.
3.
   The present Hydraulic Apparatus will be retained to be used in case of an accident to the electric motor.
4.
   The keys will be in a separate console placed in front of the gallery.
5.
   The windchests will be pneumatic and with one pallet to each pipe, thus insuring a perfect supply of wind.
6.
   All combination Pistons will move the knobs to show what combination is on.
7.
   The Swell Shutters will be actuated by two electro-pneumatic motors.
8.
   All our work is by the presents guaranteed for ten years, against any defect resulting from bad workmanship, or the use of unsuitable materials.
9.
   We agree to find a competent tuner to look after the organ before and after the reconstruction.
10.
   To insure the best result possible, temperature of the church will be kept as near as possible to the medium Sunday temperature while the tuning will be done.
            
  Case of E. & G.G. Hook & Hastings organ, Op. 1022 (1881) formerly at the Church of St. Francis Xavier - New York City
Gallery Organ

E. & G.G. Hook & Hastings
Boston, Mass. – Opus 1022 (1881)
Mechanical action
4 manuals, 66 stops, 81 ranks, 4390 pipes



The original organ for the present St. Francis Xavier Church was built in 1881 by E. & G. G. Hook & Hastings of Boston. Around that time, the church published a souvenir booklet with descriptions of the treasures and furnishings in the new edifice, includings pages about the organs. Following is the description and specification of the organ in the main church:
"The occasion of the completion of such an organ as we have placed in St. Francis Xavier's Church, New York, is one of more than ordinary importance to us, and to all interested in the advancement of the Art of Organ Building in this country. We therefore mark it by this Souvenir of one of the most perfect successes attained in this or any country, and one of which we justly feel proud. In the mere matter of size it does not equal the noted instrument built by us for the Cincinnati Music Hall, yet it is little short of it, and is by far the largest organ in New York City. In its completeness, effectiveness, finish of tone, and artistic excellence, it challenges the admiration of all. We commend it to lovers of the "king of instruments," and all interested in artistic achivements, and invite a careful study of its scheme and results, feeling sure that the art has not suffered at our hands in the execution of this carte blanche, and being willing to be judged by what we have done."
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 58 notes
16
   Open Diapason
58
4
   Gambetta
58
16
   Quintatön (wood)
58
4
   Octave
58
8
   Open Diapason
58
2 2/3
   Twelfth
58
8
   Viola da Gamba
58
2
   Fifteenth
58
8
   Doppel Flöte (wood)
58
     Mixture, 5 ranks
290
8
   Gemshorn
58
     Acuta, 5 ranks
290
8
   Clarabella (wood)
58
16
   Bombard
58
8
   Viol d'Amour
58
8
   Trumpet
58
5 1/3
   Quint
58
4
   Clarion
58
4
   Flute Harmonique
58
        
 
      
 
      
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 58 notes, enclosed
16
   Bourdon (wood)
58
2 2/3
   Nazard
58
8
   Open Diapason
58
2
   Flautina
58
8
   Violoncello
58
     Mixture, 4 ranks
232
8
   Salicional
58
     Dolce Cornet, 5 ranks
290
8
   Æoline
58
16
   Contra Fagotto
58
8
   Stopped Diapason (wood)
58
8
   Cornopean
58
8
   Quintadena
58
8
   Oboe (with Bassoon)
58
4
   Flauto Traverso (wood)
58
4
   Clarion
58
4
   Violina
58
8
   Vox Humana
58
4
   Octave
58
     Tremulant  
               
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 58 notes, enclosed
16
   Lieblich Gedacht (wood)
58
4
   Fugara
58
8
   Geigen Principal
58
4
   Flute d'Amour (wood & metal)
58
8
   Open Diapason
58
4
   Hohlpfeife (wood & metal)
58
8
   Melodia (wood)
58
2
   Piccolo
58
8
   Rohr Flöte (wood & metal)
58
8
   Clarinet
58
8
   Dulciana
58
        
               
Solo Organ (Manual IV) – 58 notes, enclosed with Choir
8
   Stentorphone
58
4
   Flauto Traverso (wood)
58
8
   Viola
58
4
   Octave Viola
58
8
   Philomela (wood)
58
8
   Tuba Mirabilis
58
 
      
 
      
Pedale Organ – 30 notes
32
   Bourdon (wood)
30
8
   Violoncello
30
16
   Open Diapason (wood)
30
4
   Super Octave
30
16
   Violone (wood)
30
16
   Trombone
30
16
   Bourdon (wood)
30
8
   Posaune
30
10 2/3
   Quint (wood)
30
8
   Fagotto
30
8
   Octave (wood)
30
        
               
Mechanical Registers
    Great Organ Separation     Solo to Great Coupler
    Swell to Great Coupler     Choir to Great Sub-Octave
    Choir to Great Coupler     Octave Coupler, Great on itself
   
These Couplers [above] are operated by pneumatic power and controlled by thumb knobs, placed over the Great Organ key-board.
    Swell to Choir Coupler     Choir to Pedale Coupler
    Great to Solo Coupler     Solo to Pedale Coupler
    Great to Pedale Coupler     Tremolo
    Swell to Pedal Coupler     Bellows Signal
   
Pedale Combination Separation
   
(Detaching the Pedale registers from the Pedal movements at will. Controlled by a thumb knob over the Swell manual.)
Pedal Movements
   
1.
   Fortissimo Pedal. Drawing all registers and couplers at once.
2.
   Crescendo Pedal. Drawing all registers from softest to loudest at will.
3.
   De Crescendo Pedal. Reverse of No. 2.
4.
   Forte Great. Giving full Great Organ and an appropriate Pedale.
5.
   Mezzo Great. Giving all 8 and 4 ft. registers and an appropriate Pedale.
6.
   Piano Great. Giving a soft combination and an appropriate Pedale.
7.
   Forte Swell. Giving all Swell registers and an appropriate Pedale.
8.
   Mezzo Swell. Giving all 8 and 4 ft. registers and an appropriate Pedale.
9.
   Piano Swell. Giving a soft combination and an appropriate Pedale.
10.
   Forte Choir. Giving all Choir registers and an appropriate Pedale.
11.
   Piano Choir. Giving a soft combination and an appropriate Pedale.
12.
   Reversible Pedale to operate No. 75 [Great to Pedal]
13.
   Adjustable Swell Pedal.
               
   
Pneumatic Motors are applied to the Great Organ and all its couplings, the Pedale Organ, the two lower octaves of the Swell, and to the register action. The action is extended and reversed. The motive power for blowing the Organ is the Boston Hydraulic Motor which is supplied with water from a tank placed in the attic above the Organ.
           
Chancel Organ:

E. & G.G. Hook & Hastings
Boston, Mass. – Opus 1021 (1881)
Mechanical action
2 manuals, 27 registers


An independent Chancel organ was supposedly installed in 1881 by the E. & G. G. Hook & Hastings company of Boston. However, the church archives have not uncovered any evidence that the organ was actually installed. Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.
           
  Drawing of E. & G.G. Hook & Hastings organ, Op. 1024 (1881) in Lower Church of St. Francis Xavier Church - New York City (Church booklet)

Chapel Organ:

E. & G.G. Hook & Hastings
Boston, Mass. – Opus 1024 (1881)
Mechanical action
2 manuals, 24 registers, 18 stops, 20 ranks


In the Chapel (Lower Church) was an organ built by E. & G.G. Hook & Hastings of Boston. Although a document with the specifications has not been located, the church published a Souvenir (c.1881) that described the adornments and treasures in the new building, including two pages about "The Organ in the Lower Church":

"This instrument was also built by Messrs. Hook & Hastings, of Boston, Mass.
"It is inclosed [sic] in a casing of ash wood with tastefully decorated pipes displayed, and presents a very attractive appearance.
"This beautiful instrument, though not ranking among the largest organs, is of more than an average size, and excels in its fine workmanship, elegant appearance, and artistic voicing.
"It has twenty-four stops, one thousand and forty pipes, and four pedal movements, as follows, viz.:
 
Stops
Pipes
Great Manual
9
638
Swell        "
7
348
Pedal
2
54
Mechanical Registers
6
  
 
 
24
1,040
"The builders have sought to make the organ such as would meet every requirement of church service in the most complete and satisfactory way. To this end especial care has been taken in voicing to produce richness, fullness, and dignity of tone."

It seems likely that this organ was based on the firm's "Size No. 11" specification (shown below), less one 58-pipe stop in the Swell (possibly 2' Flautino).
               
Great Organ (Manual I) – 58 notes
16
   Bourdon (wood)
58
2 2/3
   Twelfth
58
8
   Open Diapason
58
2
   Fifteenth
58
8
   Dulciana
58
     Mixture, 3 ranks
174
8
   Melodia (wood, stopped bass)
58
8
   Trumpet
58
4
   Octave
58
        
 
      
 
      
Swell Organ (Manual II) – 58 notes, enclosed
8
   Open Diapason (wood & metal)
58
4
   Violina
58
8
   Viola
58
2
   Flautino
58
8
   Stopped Diapason (wood)
58
8
   Oboe (TC)
46
4
   Flauto Traverso (wood)
58
8
   Bassoon
12
 
      
 
      
Pedal Organ – 27 notes
16
   Open Diapason (wood)
27
        
16
   Bourdon (wood)
27
        
               
Mechanical Registers
    Swell to Great Coupler       Tremolo
    Great to Pedal Coupler       Bellows Signal
    Swell to Pedal Coupler          
               
Pedal Movements
    Great Forte Combination   Great to Pedal Reversible
    Great Piano Combination   Balanced Swell Pedal
           
Organ in original church on West 16th Street:

Henry Erben
New York City (1851)
Mechanical action
2 manuals, 25 stops, 29 ranks


The organ in the original St. Francis Xavier Church was built in 1851 by Henry Erben of New York City.
               
Great Organ (Manual I) – 58 notes
16
   Double Open Diapason
58
4
   Principal
58
8
   Open Diapason
58
2 2/3
   Twelfth
58
8
   Gamba
58
2
   Fifteenth
58
8
   Melodia
58
     Sesquialtera III ranks
174
8
   Stop'd Diapason
58
8
   Trumpet
58
8
   Dulciana
58
8
   Clarionette
58
 
      
 
      
Swell Organ (Manual II) – 58 notes, enclosed
16
   Bourdon
58
4
   Harmonic Flute
58
8
   Open Diapason
58
     Cornet III ranks
174
8
   Viol d'Amour
58
8
   Oboe
58
8
   Stop'd Diapason
58
8
   Vox Humana
58
4
   Violana
58
     Vox Tremulo [sic]  
 
      
 
      
Pedal Organ – 27 notes
16
   Double Open Diapason
27
8
   Violoncello
27
16
   Bourdon
27
16
   Trombone
27
               
Couplers
    Great and Swell Organ       Reversible Coupler Pedal to Great
    Pedal and Great Organ       Octave Coupler in Great Organ
    Pedal and Swell Organ          
               
Composition Pedals
1.
   To bring on full Great Organ  
2.
  
To take off Chorus Stops
  
           
Sources:
     The American Organ Archives of the Organ Historical Society, Princeton, N.J. Specifications of Henry Erben organ (1851).
     "A New Church Dedicated," The New York Times (Dec. 4, 1882).
     "An Imposing Catholic Ceremony," The New York Times (May 6, 1878).
     Casavant Frères, Limitée Factory Specification, Opus 184, Jan., Sept., 22, 1902. Courtesy Stanley Scheer.
     The Catholic Church in the United States of America: Undertaken to Celebrate the Golden Jubilee of His Holiness, Pope Pius X, Vol. III. New York: The Catholic Editing Company, 1914.
     "The Church of St. Francis Xavier," Frank Leslie's Sunday Magazine (March 1883).
     Nelson, George. Organs in the United States and Canada Database. Seatlle, Wash.
     "A New Catholic Edifice," The New York Times (Nov. 29, 1882).
     Peragallo Pipe Organ Company web site: http://www.peragallo.com
     St. Francis Xavier Church web site: http://www.sfxavier.org/
     Smith, Rollin. Specifications of Kilgen Organ Company organ, Op. 7813 (1957).
     Souvenir booklet, pub. by the church (c.1881). Description of the E. G.G. Hook & Hastings organs in the Upper and Lower Churches. Courtesy Larry Trupiano.
     "Trampled to Death," The New York Times (Mar. 9, 1877).
     Van Pelt, William T., comp. The Hook Opus List, 1829-1916 in Facsimile. Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 1991.
      Webber, F.R. "Some Early Organs in New York City Described Vividly," The Diapason (Sept. 1, 1957). Specifications of E. & G.G. Hook & Hastings organ, Op. 1022 (1881). Courtesy James Lewis.

Illustrations:
     eBay.com. Undated postcard of exterior.
     Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Online. Exterior of present church.
     Lawson, Steven E. Church interior; Peragallo Pipe Organ Co. organ, Op. 700 (2010).
     Organ Historical Society. E. & G.G. Hook & Hastings organ case.
     St. Francis Xavier Church booklet, pub. by the church (c.1881). Drawing of E. & G.G. Hook & Hastings organ, Op. 1024 (1881) in the Lower Church. Courtesy Larry Trupiano.
     Underwood & Underwood Studios (N.Y.). 1919 photo of Pietro Yon at console of Casavant Frères organ, Op. 184 (1903).