St. Paul's Chapel (Trinity Church) - New York City
  Click on images to enlarge
St. Paul's Chapel – Trinity Church
(Episcopal)

Broadway at Fulton Street
New York, N.Y. 10006
http://www.saintpaulschapel.org


Organ Specifications:
► II/33 Schlicker Organ Company (1964); reb. Andover (1981)
► III/58 Aeolian-Skinner Organ Co., Op. 768-A (1950)
► III/41 Skinner Organ Company, Op. 768 (1929)
► III/31 J.H. & C.S. Odell, Op. 92 (1870)
► III/25 George Pike England (1802)


1898 photo of St. Paul's Chapel (Trinity Church) - New York City  
West Entrance and Cemetery (1898)  
St. Paul's Chapel was built from 1764 to 1766 as a "Chappell of Ease" of Trinity Church to serve those parishioners who resided amidst the wheat fields and countryside north of the city. Today, St. Paul's Chapel is Manhattan's oldest public building in continuous use, and its remaining colonial church. The Georgian Classic-Revival style building, which resembles the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in London, was designed by Andrew Gautier (although for many years credit went to Thomas McBean). The ornamental design of the "Glory" over the altar is the work of Pierre L'Enfant, who designed Washington, D.C. The "Glory" depicts Mt. Sinai in clouds and lightning, the Hebrew word for "God" in a triangle, and the two tablets of the Law with the Ten Commandments. The pulpit is surmounted by a coronet and six feathers. Fourteen original cut-glass chandeliers hang in the nave and the galleries. The distinctive wooden steeple, as designed by James Crommelin Lawrence, was added in 1794. Two bells are in the spire: the first inscribed "Mears London, Fecit [Made] 1797," and the second bell, made in 1866, was added in celebration of the chapel's 100th anniversary. President George Washington, who was inaugrated in 1789, worshiped at St. Paul's during the two years that New York City was the nation's capital.

St. Paul's Chapel of Trinity Church - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)  
Immediately following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, St. Paul's Chapel, located just a few hundred feet east of the site, became a shelter and comfort center for the many people who assisted in the rescue and recovery efforts. Its old pews became a place for prayer and rest, its fence was covered with posters and snapshots of missing persons, and a kitchen was set up for the many volunteers. In the ensuing years, the pews (except those used by George Washington and the governor) have been removed to storage and the chapel has become a center for meditation.
             
 

Schlicker organ (1964) in St. Paul's Chapel (Trinity Church) - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)
   
  Schlicker organ (1964) in St. Paul's Chapel (Trinity Church) - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)
Schlicker Organ Company
Buffalo, N.Y. (1964); reb. Andover Organ Company (1981)
Mechanical key action
Electro-pneumatic stop action
Slider wind chests
2 manual, 25 stops, 33 ranks



The present organ in St. Paul's Chapel was built in 1964 by the Schlicker Organ Company of Buffalo, replacing the previous Aeolian-Skinner organ from 1950. Robert Arnold, Assistant Organist for Trinity Church and the New York area representative of the Schlicker Organ Company, handled the details of the sale. Mr. Arnold supplied the following information for the press:

"The rear gallery installation was patterned after the classic organs of Arp Schnitger with slider chests throughout and tracker key action. The wind pressure for the instrument is 2" and all pipes are voiced with no nicking. The display pipes are of 90% tin and are speaking pipes; all other manual and pedal principal and mixture pipes from 4' C up are of 85% tin.

"The mahogany organ case was built around 1803 by John Geib [later modified by the J.H. & C.S. Odell Company] and was restored by Schlicker in 1964. The placement of the divisions within the case is as follows: Positiv on the bottom, Hauptwerk on top with the Pedal on either side. Each division has its own reflective housing.

"The manuals are arranged with Hauptwerk on bottom, Positiv on top with ivory naturals and ebony sharps. The combination action is with setter board and electro-pneumatic stop action."

In 1981, the organ was rebuilt by the Andover Organ Company (as Op. R-248) of Methuen, Mass. Following the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, the organ was silenced, but in 2009 the organ was partially cleaned and made playable by Mann & Trupiano of Brooklyn so that it could be used on Easter Day 2009.
               
Hauptwerk (Manual I) – 56 notes
16
   Quintadena
56
2 2/3
   Quint
56
8
   Principal
56
2
   Octave
56
8
   Rohrgedeckt
56
1 3/5
   Terz
56
4
   Octave
56
     Mixture IV-V ranks
268
4
   Spitzflöte
56
8
   Trompete
56

     

     
Positiv (Manual II) – 56 notes
8
   Holzgedeckt
56
1
   Sifflöte
56
4
   Principal
56
     Scharf III ranks
168
4
   Rohrflöte
56
8
   Krummhorn
56
2
   Gemshorn
56
     Tremolo  
1 1/3
   Klein-Nasat
56
        

     

     
Pedal – 30 notes
16
   Subbass
30
2
   Nachthorn
30
8
   Principal
30
     Mixture III ranks
90
8
   Flachflöte
30
16
   Fagott
30
4
   Choralbass
30
4
   Schalmei
30
               
Couplers (duplicated by reversible toe studs)
    Hauptwerk to Pedal   Positiv to Hauptwerk
    Positiv to Pedal    
         
Adjustable Combinations (by setterboard)
   
Hauptwerk Pistons 1-2-3-4 (thumb)
Positiv Pistons 1-2-3-4 (thumb)
Pedal Pistons 1-2-3 (thumb & toe)
General Pistons 1-2-3-4-5 (toe)
  Cancel (thumb)
             
Aeolian-Skinner Organ Company, Inc.
Boston, Mass. – Opus 768-A (1950)
Electro-pneumatic key and stop action
3 manuals, 54 stops, 58 ranks


The 1929 Skinner organ was revised and enlarged by Aeolian-Skinner in 1950. When the Schlicker organ was installed in 1964, the Aeolian-Skinner organ was rebuilt and altered by Schlicker and moved to the Chapel of the Intercession, Trinity's cemetery chapel located in Washington Heights.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
16
   Quintaton
61
4
   Rohrflöte
61
8
   Diapason
61
2 2/3
   Quint
61
8
   Bourdon
61
2
   Super Octave
61
8
   Erzähler
61
     Fourniture IV ranks
244
4
   Principal
61
8
   Trumpet
61
               
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Bourdon
73
2
   Flautino
61
8
   Diapason
73
     Plein Jeu V ranks
305
8
   Rohrflote
73
 
   Cymbel III ranks
183
8
   Salicional
73
16
   Bombarde
73
8
   Voix Celeste
73
8
   Trompette
73
8
   Aeoline
73
8
   Oboe
73
8
   Unda Maris [TC]
61
4
   Clarion
73
4
   Octave
73
     Tremolo  
4
   Flute
73
        

     

     
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Chimney Flute
73
2
   Piccolo
61
8
   Viola
73
8
   Clarinet
73
8
   Dulciana
73
8
   French Horn
73
4
   Prestant
73
8
   English Horn
73
4
   Koppelflöte
73
     Tremolo  
               
Positiv Organ (Manual I) – 56 notes
8
   Nason Flute
56
2
   Zauberflöte
56
4
   Prinzipal
56
1 3/5
   Terz
56
2 2/3
   Nazat
56
     Zimbel III ranks
168
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16
   Principal
32
8
   Still Gedeckt
SW
16
   Violone [unit]
44
4
   Choral Bass
—
16
   Quintaten
GT
     Mixture III ranks
96
16
   Echo Lieblich
SW
16
   Posaune [ext. GT Trumpet]
12
8
   Principal [unit]
44
8
   Trumpet
GT
8
   Cello
—
4
   Clarion
GT
             
  Skinner Organ, Op. 768 (1929) in St. Paul's Chapel (Trinity Church) - New York City
Skinner Organ Company
Boston, Mass. – Opus 768 (1929)
Electro-pneumatic key and stop action
3 manuals, 43 stops, 41 ranks






An entirely new organ was built in 1929 by the Skinner Organ Company of Boston. Skinner reused the 1802 Geib case, as enlarged in 1870 by J.H. & C.S. Odell. The detached three-manual drawknob console was located to the left of the case.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
8
   First Diapason
61
4
   Flute *
61
8
   Second Diapason
61
2
   Fifteenth
61
8
   Principal Flute *
61
8
   French Horn *
61
8
   Erzahler
61
     Tremolo (enclosed stops only)
4
   Octave
61
    
* in Choir box

 

      

 

      
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Bourdon
73
2
   Flautino
61
8
   Diapason
73
     Mixture V ranks
305
8
   Salicional
73
16
   Waldhorn
73
8
   Voix Celeste
73
8
   Cornopean
73
8
   Aeoline
73
8
   Oboe
73
8
   Unda Maris [TC]
61
8
   Vox Humana
61
8
   Rohrflute
73
4
   Clarion
73
4
   Octave
73
     Tremolo  
4
   Flute
73
        

     

     
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Diapason
73
2
   Piccolo
61
8
   Gamba
73
8
   Clarinet
61
8
   Dulciana
73
8
   English Horn
61
8
   Chimney Flute
73
     Tremolo  
4
   Flute Harmonique
73
    
Harp
preparation
2 2/3
   Nazard
61
    
Celesta
preparation
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes (Augmented)
16
   Diapason **
44
8
   Gedeckt [ext.]
—
16
   Keraulophone **
44
8
   Still Gedeckt
SW
16
   Bourdon **
44
8
   Cello [ext.]
—
16
   Echo Lieblich
SW
16
   Trombone
32
8
   Octave [ext.]
—
16
   Waldhorn
SW
           
** pipes reused from previous organ
Couplers
    Great to Pedal   Choir to Great 16', 8', 4'
    Swell to Pedal 8', 4'   Swell to Choir 16', 8', 4'
    Choir to Pedal 8', 4'   Swell 16', 4'
    Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'   Choir 16', 4'
             
Adjustable Combinations
   
Swell Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6 (thumb) Ped. to Man. Combs. On & Off
Great Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4 (thumb) Ped. to Man. Combs. On & Off
Choir Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5 (thumb) Ped. to Man. Combs. On & Off
Pedal Organ Pistons 1-2-3 (toe)  
Entire Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4 (thumb)  
  General Cancel (thumb)  
  Set (thumb)  
             
Reversibles
    Great to Pedal (thumb & toe)   Swell to Choir (thumb)
    Choir to Pedal (thumb & toe)   Sforzando (thumb & toe)
             
Expression
    Balanced Pedal – Swell Organ    
    Balanced Pedal – Choir Organ    
    Register Crescendo Pedal    
         
Skinner Organ, Op. 768 (1929) in St. Paul's Chapel (Trinity Church) - New York City   Skinner Organ, Op. 768 (1929) in St. Paul's Chapel (Trinity Church) - New York City   Skinner Organ, Op. 768 (1929) in St. Paul's Chapel (Trinity Church) - New York City
             
  J.H. & C.S. Odell Organ, Op. 92 (1870) in St. Paul's Chapel (Trinity Church) - New York City
  J.H. & C.S. Odell organ and console
J.H. & C.S. Odell
New York City – Opus 92 (1870)
Mechanical action
3 manuals, 28 stops, 31 ranks




The second organ in St. Paul's Chapel was built in 1870 by J.H. & C.S. Odell of New York City. In order to accomodate the larger organ, the Odells enlarged the original 1802 Geib case so that it was six feet wider and two feet deeper. The Odells included six each of their patented "Pneumatic Composition knobs" for the Swell and Great divisions, a register crescendo, and two extra thumb pistons that were "reversibles" for the Swell-to-Choir and Great-to-Pedal couplers. The organ's tone was described as "...good, well-balanced, and brilliant; fine contrasts and perfect gradations from the soft to the loud effects are attainable. While the stops present, in detail, many charming characteristics, they blend well one with the other and collectively make a grand ensemble." The Choir reed, termed "Cherubino," was "...formed of reeds placed in bell shaped tubes [i.e., free reeds] ... perhaps the most beautiful stop on the organ, the quality of it is something between a Cremona and Vox Humana."
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 58 notes
16
   Bourdon
58
2 2/3
   Twelfth
58
8
   Open Diapason
58
2
   Fifteenth
58
8
   Bell Gamba
58
     Mixture, 3 ranks
174
8
   Stopped Diapason
58
8
   Trumpet
58
4
   Principal
58
        
               
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 58 notes, enclosed
16
   Bourdon
58
2
   Fifteenth
58
8
   Open Diapason
58
     Mixture, 4 ranks
232
8
   Salicional
58
8
   Cornopean
58
8
   Stopped Diapason
58
8
   Oboe
58
4
   Principal
58
        

     

     
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 58 notes
8
   Keraulophone
58
4
   Wald Flute
58
8
   Dulciana
58
2
   Piccolo
58
8
   Melodia
58
8
   Cherubino [free reed]
58
4
   Principal
58
        
               
Pedal Organ – 27 notes
16
   Double Open Diapason
27
8
   Violoncello
27
16
   Keraulophone
27
8
   Gamba
27
10 2/3
   Quint
27
16
   Trombone
27
             
George Pike England
London, England (1802)
Mechanical action
3 manuals, 17 stops, 25 ranks


The first organ installed in St. Paul's Chapel was built in 1802 by George Pike England. It was installed in a case built that same year by John Geib, an organ builder in New York. By 1870, the 1802 England organ had undergone a good deal of alteration in the 68 years since its installation. The Odells took the instrument in trade against the $9,000 contract price of the new organ. It was rebuilt in their shops as opus 102, and subsequently placed in St. Mary's Church, Port Jefferson, NY, in 1871, where it remained until being discarded in 1963.
               
Great Organ – 58 notes (GG, AA–f3)
    Open Diapason
34?
     Sesquialtra, 3 ranks
174
    Open Diapason to gamut G
24?
     Cornet, 5 ranks mounted
232
    Night Horn
58
  Trumpet
58
    Fifteenth
58
        
               
Swell Organ – 35 notes (from tenor g)
    Open Diapason
35
     Cornet [3 ranks?]
105?
    Stop Diapason
35
     Trumpet
35
    Principal
35
     Hautboy
35
               
Choir Organ – 58 notes – 58 notes (GG, AA–f3); permanently coupled to Great
    Stop Diapason
58
     Flute
58
    Dulceana
58
     Cremona
58
    Principal
58
        
               
    Tremulant to whole organ          
 
Sources:
     Aeolian-Skinner Archives web site: http://aeolian-skinner.110mb.com/
     Arnold, Robert. Specifications and description of the Schlicker organ (1964). The American Organist (June 1964).
     Dix, Morgan. A History of the Parish of Trinity Church in the City of New York. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1898.
     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.
     Ochse, Orpha. The History of the Organ in the United States. Bloomington, Indiana University Press, 1975.
     Ogasapian, John. Organ Building in New York City: 1700-1900. Braintree: The Organ Literature Foundation, 1977.
     St. Paul's Chapel web site: http://www.saintpaulschapel.org/
     Trupiano, Larry. Specifications of Skinner Organ, Op. 768 (1929).

Illustrations:
     Blanton, Joseph E. The Organ in Church Design. Albany: Venture Press, 1957. Skinner organ, Op. 768 (1929).
     Dix, Morgan. A History of the Parish of Trinity Church in the City of New York. Exterior (c.1898).
     Lawson, Steven E. Interior; Schlicker organ (1964).
     Lewis, James. J.H. & C.S. Odell organ, Op. 92 (1870).
     Moses, Arnold. Organ in West Balcony (1937). Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Online.