Church of St. Jean Baptiste - New York City

 
click on images to enlarge
Church of St. Jean Baptiste
(Roman Catholic)

184 East 76th Street at Lexington Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10021
http://www.sjbrcc.org/


Organ Specifications:
Upper Church:
IV/71 Wicks Organ Company, Op. 6388 (2000)
IV/63 Murray M. Harris Company, Op. 104 (1913)
II/9 M.P. Möller, Inc., Op. 7581 (1947) – Lower Church
II/19s M.P. Möller, Inc., Op. 1404 (1912) – Lower Church



In the early part of 1800, a large number of French-speaking people resided in New York City. A Mr. Gabriel Franchère, who came from Montreal, Canada, as one of the secretaries of the Pacific Fur Company founded by John Jacob Astor, reports: "In 1810 there were in New York City 32 churches, two of which were Catholic. The population was up to ninety thousand, of whom ten thousand were French-speaking." In 1841, St. Peter's Church, on Barclay Street, established a mission to the French Catholic population by building St. Vincent de Paul Church on Canal Street. As the French population moved northward, a new St. Vincent de Paul was built on West 23rd Street in 1867. St. Vincent de Paul Church was quite a distance from the Yorkville section of the city where a fairly large group of French Canadians had settled. They had the choice of using the slow-moving horse-drawn trolley along Third Avenue or the more expensive trains of the Harlem Railroad with its open tracks along the northern part of Fourth Avenue, now called Park Avenue.

The Societé Saint Jean Baptiste, founded in 1850, established L'Eglise de St. Jean Baptiste in 1882, at first meeting in a stable at 202 East 77th Street while a church was built in 1882-85 at 159 East 76th Street. In 1892, St. Jean Baptiste became a shrine to St. Anne with the presentation of a relic from Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré in Quebec, and the resulting crowds regularly overflowed the church.

Church of St. Jean Baptiste - New York City  
   
Church of St. Jean Baptiste - New York City (Photo Courtesy of Wicks Organ Company. http://www.wicksorgan.com)

The construction of the present church building was due, in large part, to the contributions of Thomas Fortune Ryan and his wife. Ryan, a devout and wealthy man of unassuming ways, preferred St. Jean's to the large and showy parishes near his Fifth Avenue home, and the Blessed Sacrament Fathers served as his wife's private chaplains at the Ryan's country home in Suffern, New York. One day he arrived late for mass and found that there was standing room only. At the conclusion of the service, he approached the officiating priest and asked how much it would cost to build a new church. The priest answered, apparently off the top of his head, "$300,000." Ryan replied, "Get some plans and I will pay for it."

The new church, completed in 1913, was designed by Nicholas Serracino in the Italian Baroque style, with a massive, freestanding Corinthian portico, twin bell towers, and a magnificent dome which rises 175 feet over the crossing of the nave and transepts. The stained glass windows of the church are some of the finest in the city, having been crafted in Chartres, France, before the outbreak of World War I. Its total cost was ultimately close to $600,000.

By the 1960s, the demographics had changed and French masses were no longer offered. The vast Lower Church, as large as the main church above, was reconfigured to be the parish Community Center with meeting rooms and a theater. Today, the church hosts productions of DiCapo Opera, one of New York's finest independent companies, and the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony. In the 1990s, after selling its air rights to the adjacent Siena apartment tower, the church began a program to restore the building's crumbling exterior. The interior, which was originally somber, was renovated and redecorated in vivid colors by Felix Chavez, Inc. of New York City.

In 1969, the Church of St. Jean Baptiste was designated by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.
           

Wicks Organ Console (2000) at the Church of St. Jean Baptiste - New York City (Photo Courtesy of Wicks Organ Company. http://www.wicksorgan.com)
Wicks Organ Company
Highland, Ill. – Opus 6388 (2000)
Direct-Electric key action
Solid State combination action
4 manuals, 71 pipe ranks, 57 digital ranks, 4,204 pipes




As part of the renovation of St. Jean Baptiste, the Wicks Organ Company received the contract in 1999 to replace the 1913 Murray M. Harris organ which had become unplayable by the 1990s. The new organ contains 11 divisions, playable from a four-manual console located in the lower gallery, and retains the facade and many ranks from the original organ.
               

UPPER GALLERY

               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
8
  Principal *
61
2 2/3
  Twelfth
61
8
  Diapason
61
2
  Fifteenth
61
8
  Gedeckt *
61
  Mixture IV ranks
244
8
  Violone
61
  Cymbal IV ranks
digital
8
  Gamba *
61
8
  Trumpet
61
4
  Octave
61
   

     

     
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Lieblich Gedeckt *
61
  Mixture IV ranks *
244
8
  Violin Diapason *
61
16
  Contra Oboe *
61
8
  Claribel Flute *
61
8
  Trompette *
61
8
  Stopped Diapason *
61
8
  Cornopean *
61
8
  Salicional *
61
8
  Oboe *
61
8
  Voix Céleste *
61
8
  Vox Humana *
61
4
  Octave *
61
4
  Clairon *
61
4
  Flauto Traverso *
61
  Tremulant
2 2/3
  Nazard
61
  Vox Humana Tremulant
2
  Piccolo
61
  Cymbelstern
1 3/5
  Tierce
61
     

     

     
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
  Principal *
61
2
  Flautino
61
8
  Rohr Flute
61
1 1/3
  Larigot
61
8
  Viole de Gamba
61
  Mixture III ranks *
183
8
  Gamba Celeste
61
8
  Clarinet *
61
8
  Flauto Dolce
61
8
  Cromhorne
digital
8
  Flute Celeste
61
  Tremulant
4
  Choral Principal *
61
8
  Fanfare Trumpet
SO
4
  Harmonic Flute
61
     

     

     
Solo Organ (Manual IV) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  English Horn
digital
4
  Octave *
61
8
  Grand Diapason *
61
4
  Flute *
61
8
  Doppelflöte
61
  Cornet V ranks [mounted]
digital
8
  Gross Gamba *
61
8
  Tuba *
61
8
  Gamba Celeste *
61
  Tremulant
8
  Dulciana/Unda Maris II ranks *
122
8
  Fanfare Trumpet
digital

     

     
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
32
  Principal
digital
5 1/3
  Quint
32
32
  Bourdon *
32
4
  Super Octave *
32
32
  Violone
digital
4
  Doppelflöte
SO
16
  Open Wood *
32
  Grand Cornet IV ranks
digital
16
  Open Metal
digital
32
  Posaune
digital
16
  Diapason
GT
16
  Ophicleide *
32
16
  Violone *
32
16
  Bombarde
digital
16
  Dulciana *
32
16
  Contre Trompette
digital
16
  Bourdon *
32
16
  Contra Oboe
SW
16
  Lieblich Gedeckt
SW
8
  Tromba *
32
8
  Octave *
32
8
  Trompette
SW
8
  Gedeckt
SW
4
  Clairon *
32
8
  Violone
GT
     

     

     

LOWER GALLERY

     

     
Grande Orgue (Manual II) – 61 notes, unenclosed
16
  Bourdon
digital
2
  Doublette
61
8
  Montre
61
1 3/5
  Tierce
61
8
  Bourdon
61
  Plein Jeu IV ranks
244
8
  Flûte Harmonique
digital
16
  Basson
digital
8
  Salicional
digital
8
  Trompette
61
4
  Prestant
61
4
  Clairon
digital
4
  Flûte Ouverte
digital
  Chimes
digital
2 2/3
  Quint
digital
   

     

     
Récit (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
  Principal Conique
61
1 1/3
  Larigot
61
8
  Flûte Traversière
61
8
  Cor Anglais
digital
8
  Viole de Gambe *
61
8
  Hautbois
61
8
  Voix Céleste
digital
8
  Trompette Harmonique
digital
4
  Flûte Octaviante
61
4
  Clairon
digital
2
  Octavin
61
  Tremblant

     

     
Pédale – 32 notes
16
  Contre Basse
digital
4
  Chorale basse
digital
16
  Soubasse
digital
16
  Petite Bombarde
digital
8
  Octave Basse
digital
  Chimes
G.O.
8
  Flûte
G.O.
   

     

     

TRIFORIUM (North transept)

     

     
Grande Orgue (Manual II) – 61 notes
8
  Montre
digital
4
  Prestant
digital
8
  Bourdon
digital
  Plein Jeu III ranks
digital

     

     
Récit (Manual III) – 61 notes, expressive
8
  Flûte Harmonique
digital
8
  Hautbois
digital
8
  Viole de Gambe
digital
  Tremblant
8
  Voix Céleste
digital
8
  Trompette de Fanfare
digital
4
  Flûte Octaviante
digital
   
               
Pédale – 32 notes
16
  Bourdon
digital
   
16
  Basson
digital
   
       
* ranks from 1913 Murray Harris organ
       
Digital Stops by Walker Technical Company

           

 

Murray M. Harris Organ Facade (1913) with Kilgen Organ Console at Church of St. Jean Baptiste - New York City (Photo: St. Jean Baptiste RC Church)

 

Murray Harris facade and Kilgen console

Murray M. Harris Company
Los Angeles, CA – Opus 104 (1913)
Electro-pneumatic action
4 manuals, 60 stops, 63 ranks



The Murray Harris organ built for St. Jean Baptiste was a gift from Mr. Thomas F. Ryan. Built in 1913, it is perhaps the last instrument designed by Murray Harris, as the contract was completed by the Johnston Piano and Organ Company. An organ of 60 stops and 63 ranks, it was blessed on Sunday, January 4, 1914 and first used that evening in recital by Gaston M. Dethier (1875-1958), who was then Professor of Organ at the Juilliard School. The specification and scaling of the instrument were carried out by Arthur Scott Brook, in collaboration with Murray Harris. Mr. Brook had most recently finished designing an instrument for the Hon. William A. Clarkson's Fifth Avenue mansion. The Italian Renaissance facade, which stands today, follows the case design of the organ in the 16th century Church of Santa Maria della Scala in Siena, Italy.

In the 1940's, the Kilgen Organ Company of St. Louis, MO, installed a new four-manual console to replace the original Murray Harris. The instrument continued to serve the parish until it became unplayable in the early 1990's.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
16
  Double Open Diapason  
4
  Principal  
8
  First Open Diapason  
4
  Octave  
8
  Second Open Diapason  
4
  Harmonic Flute  
8
  Dopple Flute  
2 2/3
  Twelfth  
8
  Gamba  
2
  Fifteenth  
8
  Viola d'Amour  
8
  Trumpet   
               
Swell (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Lieblich Gedeckt
4
  Octave  
8
  Open Diapason
4
  Wald Flute  
8
  Violin Diapason
2
  Harmonic Piccolo  
8
  Salicional
  Mixture IV ranks  
8
  Viol Celeste
16
  Contra Oboe  
8
  Viol d'Orchestre
8
  Horn  
8
  Lieblich Gedeckt
8
  Orchestral Oboe  
8
  Clarabella
4
  Clarion  
               
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
  Double Diapason  
8
  Dulciana  
8
  Geigen Principal  
8
  Viola  
8
  Flauto Traverso  
4
  Flauto d'Amour  
8
  Quintadena  
8
  Clarinet  
               
Solo Organ (Manual IV) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
  Grand Diapason  
8
  Philomela  
8
  Saxophone [labial?]  
8
  Flauto Major  
8
  Gross Gamba  
8
  Tuba Mirabilis  
8
  Vox Seraphic  
     
               
Echo Organ – 61 notes, enclosed
8
  Keraulophon  
8
  Vox Seraphic  
8
  Rohr Flute  
8
  Unda Maris  
8
  Vox Mystica  
4
  Nachthorn  
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
32
  Contra Bourdon  
16
  Dulcet Bass  
16
  Open Diapason  
8
  Octave  
16
  Contra Basso  
8
  Gedeckt  
16
  Violone  
8
  Violin Cello  
16
  Bourdon  
4
  Carillon  
16
  Dulciana  
16
  Trombone  

           

Organ in the Lower Church:

M. P. Möller, Inc.
Hagerstown, Md. – Opus 7581 (1947)
Electro-pneumatic action
2 manuals, 34 registers, 20 stops, 9 ranks


The M.P. Möller Factory Specification, dated March 1, 1947, shows that their Op. 7581 was entirely enclosed in a single expression chamber and had a detached stop-key console. Möller reused many pipes from the previous Möller organ, Op. 1404 of 1912. The entire organ was voiced on 4" wind pressure.
               
Great Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
  Diapason
85
4
  Flute [fr. Clarabella]
8
  Clarabella
85
4
  Dulcet [fr. Dulciana]
8
  Dulciana
85
  Tremolo
4
  Octave [fr. Diapason]
 
Chimes
preparation
               
Swell Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Bourdon
97
4
  Flute d'Amour [fr. Bourdon]
8
  Geigen Principal
73
2 2/3
  Nasard [fr. Bourdon]
8
  Viole d'Gamba
73
2
  Flautino [fr. Bourdon]
8
  Voix Celeste [TC]
61
8
  Trumpet
73
8
  Gedeckt [fr. Bourdon]
  Tremolo
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes, enclosed
16
  Bourdon
44
8
  Gedeckt
SW
16
  Lieblich Gedeckt
SW
4
  Flute
SW
8
  Flute [fr. Bourdon]
   
               
Couplers
    Great to Pedal   Great 16', Unison, 4'
    Swell to Pedal   Swell 16', Unison, 4'
    Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'    
               
Adjustable Combinations
    Pistons No. 1-2-3 affecting Great and Pedal Stops
    Pistons No. 1-2-3 affecting Swell and Pedal Stops
    Pistons No. 1-2-3 affecting Full Organ
               
Pedal Movements
    Balanced Expression Pedal   Sforzando Reversible
    Balanced Crescendo Pedal   Great to Pedal Reversible
               
Accessories
    Expression Indicator (light)     Sforzando Indicator (light)
    Crescendo Indicator (light)     Action Current Indicator (light)

           

Organ in the Lower Church:

M. P. Möller, Inc.
Hagerstown, Md. – Opus 1404 (1912)
Electro-pneumatic action
2 manuals, 19 registers


Specifications of this organ have not yet been located.

           

Sources:
     Brown, Kyler. Document on the organs at the Church of St. Jean Baptiste.
     Church of St. Jean Baptiste website: http://www.sjbrcc.org/
     Dolkart, Andrew S. and Matthew A. Postal. Guide to New York City Landmarks. 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.
     Nelson, George. Organs in the United States and Canada Database. Seattle, Wash.
     Scofield, Jeff. M.P. Möller Opus List.
     Smith, David Lennox (ed. by Orpha Ochse). Murray M. Harris and Organ Building in Los Angeles, 1894-1913. Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 2005.
     Trupiano, Larry. Factory Specifications of M.P. Möller Organ, Op. 7581 (1947).

Photos:
     St. Jean Baptiste website: exterior and interior
     Wicks Organ Company: Interior view of rear gallery, Wicks organ console

   
| NYC AGO Home Page | Back to NYC Organ Project List |