Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine
(Episcopal)

Amsterdam Avenue at 112th Street
New York, N.Y. 10026
http://www.stjohndivine.org

Chapel of St. James
Organ Specifications:
► II/21 Aeolian-Skinner Organ Co., Op. 223-A (1961)
• II/11 Ernest M. Skinner Company, Op. 223 (1914)

See also the Great Organ, Portable Nave Organ,
St. Ansgar Chapel, and the Synod House.
           
The Chapel of St. James, named after St. James the Apostle, the patron saint of Spain, highlights the contributions of Spain to the Christian tradition. Originally named Potter Chapel, it was the gift of Elizabeth Scriven Potter in loving memory of her husband, Henry Codman Potter, seventh Bishop of New York, whose tomb and recumbent effigy are housed in the chapel. The chapel was designed by Henry Vaughan, who also built St. Ansgar and St. Boniface chapels in the cathedral, and who was the original architect of Washington National Cathedral.
           

Aeolian-Skinner Organ Company, Inc.
Boston, Mass. – Opus 223-A (1961)
Electro-pneumatic action
2 manuals, 17 stops, 21 ranks


The organ in the Chapel of St. James was originally built by the Ernest M. Skinner Company of Boston, as Opus 223 in 1914. In 1961, the Aeolian-Skinner Organ Company of Boston rebuilt the organ as Opus 223-A. The organ is located in a small gallery and is used often for the many weddings, funerals and other services in the chapel.
               
Great Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes
8
  Gedackt
SW
4
  Praestant
61
8
  Spitz Principal
61
  Scharf III-V ranks
SW

     

     
Swell Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Bourdon
61
4
  Spitzflöte
61
8
  Gedackt
61
2
  Octavin
61
8
  Viole de Gamba
61
 
  Scharf III-V ranks
?
8
  Viole Celeste [TC]
49
8
  Hautbois
61
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16
  Bourdon
SW
8
  Quintade [ext.]
12
16
  Quintade
32
4
  Super Octave [ext.]
12
8
  Octave
32
 
     

           

Ernest M. Skinner Company
Boston, Mass. – Opus 223 (1914)
Electro-pneumatic action
2 manuals, 18 stops, 11 ranks, 640 pipes


Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.

           
Sources:
     Aeolian-Skinner Archives: http://aeolian-skinner.110mb.com/
     Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine website: http://www.stjohndivine.org/
     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.
     Holden, Dorothy. The Life and Work of Ernest M. Skinner. Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 1987.
     Kinzey, Allen, and Sand Lawn, comps. E.M. Skinner/Aeolian-Skinner Opus List. New Rev. Ed. Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 1997.
     "Stop, Open and Reed – a Periodical Presentation of Pipe Organ Progress". Boston: Skinner Organ Company, 1922-1927.

Photos:
     Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine website: interior.
           

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