New (Presbyterian) Organs

I was struck recently by the number of Presbyterian churches that have recently completed organ projects. Thanks to surveys that appear monthly in a couple of journals that I read, I can stay aware of where new instruments are being installed. I put together the following list of four in very short order indeed. There are numerous other churches of different denominational affiliation that are enjoying new organs. These struck me because they were so substantial in scope, and are sited in congregations which are all part of our broader Presbyterian tradition. I hope you enjoy poking around and seeing the information about these instruments, but also hope you'll nose around the various sites and see what other congregations are doing in their music and worships arts ministries in general, and with their web-presence.

The first new installation I'll share is at Covenant Presbyterian (PCA) in Nashville. The new instrument of 50+ ranks stands 48 feet tall in the sanctuary and weighs 20 tons! It was built by the Fisk firm of Gloucester, MA.

A new instrument built by the Dobson (Lake City, IA) firm was recently installed in Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis. The instrument is sited in the church's chapel, which in actuality is used more frequently than the sanctuary! The new instrument includes some 24 stops and about 1400 pipes.

First Presbyterian Church in New York City recently saw completion of their sanctuary organ by the Sebastian Gluck firm of New York. It includes a whopping 93 ranks of pipes.

Finally Second Presbyterian Church in Bloomington, IL is now enjoying a new organ in their newly-built worship space. The new instrument of 43 stops derived from 56 ranks of pipes was built by the Buzard firm. Of note is the configuration of the facade (the parts of the organ and pipes that are readily seen): they form a very large Celtic cross.

Truth be told, these projects were in the works long before there was any mention of the current "economic meltdown." So we can't be too amazed that the respective churches took on these projects when they did. It would, however be quite daunting for a church to contemplate taking on projects of this scale in the current financial scenario. And yet, I am sure, plenty are.

I am, of course, quite content with our instrument at BMPCNC (Reuter 2/21, opus 1980). But if anyone wonders, I don't think there is an organist anywhere who would turn down an offer of additional pipes for the instrument they play!