Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church - Brooklyn, New York
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Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church

85 South Oxford Street at Lafayette Avenue
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11217
http://www.lapcbrooklyn.org


Organ Specifications:
85 South Oxford Street at Lafayette Avenue (since 1862)
► IV/56 Austin Organs Inc., Op. 302-A (reb. 1968)
► IV/46 Austin Organ Company, Op. 302 (1910)
► III/47 Hook & Hastings Co., Op. 1313 (1886)
• III/42 William A. Johnson, Op. 164 (1864)
Carlton Avenue near DeKalb Avenue (1857-1862)
• George Jardine & Son (<1863)


The Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church in the historic Fort Greene section of Brooklyn was founded in 1857. Brooklyn was then one of the largest cities in the country, not to become a borough of New York City until January 1, 1898. At the time, the issue of slavery dominated the national debate, and the church was known from the outset as a “temple of abolition.” The early leadership and congregation, although mostly white, staked out a position squarely on the side of racial progress. They sometimes provided a meeting space for outspoken abolitionists, including Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman. Escaped slaves were provided shelter in the tunnels deep below the building. Today, the multi-racial and multi-cultural church serves a thriving community, and was named as one of the 300 Outstanding Protestant churches in the US by the Lily Endowment.

Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church - Brooklyn, New York (photo, 1906: Brooklyn Daily Eagle; Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Collection)  
Exterior in 1906  
The church's interior is notable for its mahogany panelling and 13 stained-glass windows designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. In the 1970s, the church commissioned Hank Prussing, a young artist from the Pratt Institute, to paint a giant mural around the upper balcony, reflecting the diversity of the community and the church. Prussing went out into the streets and took photographs of the neighborhood people and activity, which he used in painting the massive swirling sea of community life titled, “Mighty Cloud of Witnesses,” a phrase from the letter to the Hebrews.
               
  Austin Organ, Op. 302 (1910) at Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church - Brooklyn, New York (photo: Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church)
   
  Austin Organ, Op. 302-A (1968) at Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church - Brooklyn, New York (photo: Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church)
Austin Organs Inc.
Hartford, Conn. – Opus 302-A (1910)
New console (1958); specifications as rebuilt (1968)
Electro-pneumatic action
4 manuals, 59 stops, 56 ranks








The organ at Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church today is based on the original 1910 instrument built by the Austin Organ Company. A new Austin console was installed in 1958, and in 1968 the disposition of the organ was altered and new stops added. The console was moved to the Sanctuary floor in the mid-1970s.

In 2009 the church launched a capital campaign to repair and renovate the Austin Organ. Click here to view photos and details of the Organ Project campaign.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
16
  Diapason [façade]
61
2
   Fifteenth
61
8
  Principal
61
  Mixture IV ranks
244
8
  Harmonic Flute
61
8
   Trumpet [unit]
73
8
  Viole d'Amour
61
4
   Clarion
—
4
  Octave
61
  Great Unison Off
4
  Doppelflöte
61
    Great 4  
2 2/3
   Twelfth
61
        
               
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Bourdon
73
16
   Contra Fagotto
73
8
  Geigen Diapason
73
8
  Trompette
73
8
  Rohrgedeckt
73
8
   Hautbois
73
8
  Salicional
73
4
   Chalumeau
73
8
  Voix Celeste [TC]
61
8
   Vox Humana
73
4
  Principal
73
  Tremolo
4
  Flauto Traverso
73
  Swell 16
2
  Flageolet
61
  Swell Unison Off  
  Sesquialtera II ranks
122
  Swell 4  
  Plein Jeu III ranks
183
     
               
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Contra Viole
73
1 3/5
   Tierce
61
8
  Gedeckt
73
8
   Krummhorn
61
8
  Dolce
73
8
   Trumpet
GT
8
  Dolce Celeste [TC]
61
  Tremolo
4
  Koppelflöte
73
  Choir 16
4
  Quintaton
73
  Choir Unison Off
2 2/3
   Nazard
61
  Choir 4
2
   Blockflöte
61
  Blank tab
               
Positiv Organ (Manual IV) – 61 note chests, unenclosed
8
  Nason Flute
61
  Tremolo  
4
  Nachthorn
61
 
Chimes
25 tubes
2
  Principal
61
  Positiv 16
1 1/3
  Larigot
61
  Positiv Unison Off
1
   Sifflöte
61
  Positiv 4
  Cymbel III ranks
183
   
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
32
  Resultant
—
4
   Fifteenth [from 8' Octave]
—
16
  Open Diapason
32
4
   Bourdon
—
16
  Violone
32
  Mixture III ranks
96
16
  Bourdon [unit]
56
16
   Trumpet [ext. GT]
12
16
  Contra Viole
CH
16
   Contra Fagotto
SW
16
  Lieblich Gedeckt
SW
8
   Trumpet
GT
8
  Octave [unit]
44
4
   Krummhorn
CH
8
  Bourdon
—
  Chimes
PO
8
  Dulciana
CH
   
               
Couplers
    Great to Pedal 8', 4'   Positiv to Great 8', 4'
    Swell to Pedal 8', 4'   Positiv to Swell 8'
    Choir to Pedal 8', 4'   Swell to Choir 16', 8', 4'
    Positiv to Pedal 8', 4'   Positiv to Choir 8'
    Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'   Swell to Positiv 8', 4'
    Choir to Great 16', 8', 4'   Great to Positiv 8'
               
Adjustable Combinations (hold and set)
   
Positiv Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6 (thumb)
Swell Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb)
Great Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb)
Choir Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb)
Pedal Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6 (toe)
Full Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb & toe); 9-10-11-12 (thumb only)
  General Cancel (thumb)
  Piston Retainer (thumb)
  Pedal on Any Manual Piston ADJ (tab)
               
Reversibles
    Positiv to Pedal (thumb & toe)   Positiv to Great (thumb)
    Swell to Pedal (thumb & toe)   Swell to Great (thumb)
    Great to Pedal (thumb & toe)   Choir to Great (thumb)
    Choir to Pedal (thumb & toe)   32 Resultant (toe)
    Sforzando (thumb & toe)   Signal (toe)
         
Expression
  * Balanced Swell Pedal   Vox Humana Shades Open/Closed
  * Balanced Choir Pedal        [switch on right jamb]
  * Crescendo Pedal    
   
* with red/white indicator key
     
           
   
Austin Organ, Op. 302-A (1968) at Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church - Brooklyn, New York (photo: Sebastian Glück)   Austin Organ, Op. 302-A (1968) at Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church - Brooklyn, New York (photo: Sebastian Glück)
               
 
Austin Organ, Op. 302 (1910) at Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church - Brooklyn, New York (Photo: Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church)
Austin Organ Company
Hartford, Conn. – Opus 302 (1910)
Electro-pneumatic action
4 manuals, 50 stops, 46 ranks





In 1910, the Austin Organ Company of Hartford, Conn. built a new organ for Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian, retaining the original mahogany case and several ranks from the 1886 Hook & Hastings organ.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
16
  Major Diapason [facade]
61
8
   Doppel Flute
61
8
  Principal Diapason
61
4
   Octave
61
8
   Small Diapason
61
4
  Harmonic Flute
61
8
  Viole d'Amour
61
8
   Trumpet
61
8
  Gamba
61
   
               
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Bourdon
73
    Dolce Cornet 3, 4 & 5 ranks
?
8
  Diapason Phonon
73
16
   Contra Fagotto
73
8
  Stopped Flute
73
8
   Cornopean
73
8
  Clarabella
73
8
  Vox Humana *
73
8
  Salicional
73
    Tremulant  
8
  Voix Celeste [TC]
61
    Swell Sub  
8
  Aeoline
73
    Swell Unison Off  
4
  Flauto Traverso
73
    Swell Octave  
2
   Flageolet [from Cornet]
—
    
* valve tremulant & separate box
               
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Contra Viole
73
2
   Piccolo
61
8
  Geigen Principal
73
8
   Clarinet
73
8
  Concert Flute
73
    Tremulant  
8
  Quintadena
73
    Choir Sub  
8
  Dulciana
73
    Choir Unison Off  
8
   Unda Maris [TC]
61
     Choir Octave  
4
   Flute d'Amour
73
        
               
Solo Organ (Manual IV) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
  Grand Diapason
73
4
   Tuba Clarion
—
8
  Flauto Major
73
    Tremulant  
8
  Gross Gamba
73
   
Chimes
25 tubes
4
  Flute Ouverte
73
    Solo Sub  
16
  Tuba Profunda [unit]
85
     Solo Unison Off  
8
   Tuba Harmonic
—
     Solo Octave  
8
   Orchestral Oboe
73
        
               
Pedal Organ (Augmented) – 32 notes
32
  Magnaton
32
8
  Violoncello
SO
16
  Open Diapason [unit]
44
8
  Dulciana
CH
16
  Violone
32
16
  Tuba Profunda
SO
16
  Bourdon
32
16
  Contra Fagotto
SW
16
  Lieblich Gedeckt
SW
8
  Harmonic Tuba
SO
8
  Gross Flute [from Op. Diap.]
—
        
               
Couplers
    Swell to Pedal 8', 4'   Choir to Great 16', 8', 4'
    Great to Pedal 8'   Solo to Great 8', 4'
    Choir to Pedal 8'   Solo to Swell 8'
    Solo to Pedal 8'   Swell to Choir 16', 8', 4'
    Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'   Great to Solo 8'
               
Adjustable Combinations
   
Solo stops & couplers Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb)
Swell stops & couplers Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb)
Great stops & couplers Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb)
Choir stops & couplers Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb)
Pedal stops & couplers Pistons 1-2-3-4 (foot)
               
Accessories
    Balanced Crescendo Pedal & Indicator   Great to Pedal Reversible
    Balanced Swell Pedal   Swell to Pedal Reversible
    Balanced Choir Pedal   Solo to Great Reversible
    Balanced Solo Peda   Sforzando Pedal
               
Hook & Hastings Co.
Boston, Mass. – Opus 1313 (1886)
Mechanical action
3 manuals, 40 stops, 47 ranks, 2,568 pipes


The second organ in the present building was built in 1886 by Hook & Hastings of Boston. This organ was formally dedicated on Thursday evening, December 2, 1886, with a concert under the direction of Mr. John Hyatt Brewer, organist of the church, assisted by Mr. C. Wenham Smith, organist of the First Baptist Church; Mr. Frank Taft, organist of the Clinton Avenue Congregational Church; Miss Marie Van, Soprano of the church; and Miss Emma Wilkinson, Contralto of the church.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGAN.
spacerThis Organ is from the celebrated factory of Messrs. Hook & Hastings, of Boston, Mass., being the 1313th instrument they have built. This house enjoys a reputation which has been won by the long continued excellence, and magnitude of their works. These include a great number of large and costly organs in every important city in the United States, and especially some of the most remarkable instruments ever built in America.
spacerThe exterior of Organ is of an original and beautiful design formed by several groups of large pipes, above a belt moulding with finely moulded panels beneath. The two principal groups of pipes project boldly and are supported on corbels.
spacerThe decoration of the pipes is in deep crimson and blue on a gold ground, giving an effect of rare elegance and good taste.
spacerIn the treatment of the tone portion great care has been taken to produce a thoroughly symmetrical and well balanced instrument.
spacerIn each of the four distinctive varieties of tone—Diapason, String, Flute and Reed—the characteristic qualities are fully developed, and in combination, their richness, sonority and blending effect is as strongly marked. In varieties of tone, and the wealth of mechanical appliances for bringing the whole instrument under the perfect and easy control of the Organist, this Organ is excelled by none, and it stands as a whole without a superior in its class.
spacerThe bellows are operated by a powerful water motor, located in the cellar of the Church.

Click on the images below to view pages of the 1886 Organ Dedication programme book:

Cover of Opening Programme for Hook & Hastings Organ, Op. 1313 (1856) - Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church - Brooklyn, New York (courtesy Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church)

 

Page 2 of Opening Programme for Hook & Hastings Organ, Op. 1313 (1856) - Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church - Brooklyn, New York (courtesy Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church)

 

Page 3 of Opening Programme for Hook & Hastings Organ, Op. 1313 (1856) - Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church - Brooklyn, New York (courtesy Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church)

 

Page 4 of Opening Programme for Hook & Hastings Organ, Op. 1313 (1856) - Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church - Brooklyn, New York (courtesy Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church)

               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 58 notes
16
  Open Diapason
58
4
  Flute Harmonique
58
8
  Open Diapason
58
4
  Principal
58
8
  Viola da Gamba
58
2 2/3
  Twelfth
58
8
  Doppel Flute (wood)
58
2
  Fifteenth
58
8
  Gemshorn
58
    Mixture 4 ranks
242
8
  Viol d'Amour
58
8
  Trumpet
58

     

     
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 58 notes, enclosed
16
  Bourdon Bass (wood)
12
4
  Flauto Traverso (wood)
58
16
   Bourdon Treble (wood) [TC]
46
4
  Violina
58
8
  Open Diapason
58
4
  Octave
58
8
  Salicional
58
2
  Flageolette
58
8
  Dolce
58
    Dolce Cornet 5 ranks
290
8
  Stopped Diapason (wood)
58
8
  Cornopean
58
8
  Clarabella (wood)
58
8
  Oboe with Bassoon
58
8
  Quintadena
58
8
  Vox Humana
58
               
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 58 notes
8
  Geigen Principal
58
4
  Fugara
58
8
  Dulciana
58
2
  Piccolo Harmonique
58
8
  Concert Flute (wood)
58
8
  Clarinet
58
4
   Flute d'Amour (wood & metal)
58
       

     

     
Pedal Organ – 30 notes
16
  Open Diapason (wood)
30
10 2/3
  Quint Flöte (wood)
30
16
  Violone (wood)
30
8
  Violoncello
30
16
  Bourdon (wood)
30
16
  Trombone
30
               
Mechanical Registers
    Great organ separation   Great to Pedal coupler
    Swell to Great coupler   Swell to Pedal coupler
    Choir to Great coupler   Choir to Pedal coupler
    Swell to Great Super octave coupler   Swell Tremolo
    Swell to Choir coupler   Choir Tremolo
            Bellows Signal  
               
Pedal Movements
    Forte Combination Great   Forte Combination Choir
    Mezzi Combination Great   Piano Combination Choir
    Piano Combination Great   Reversible Pedal (Great to Pedal)
    Fort Combination Swell   Crescendo Pedal
    Mezzi Combination Swell   Adjustable Swell Pedal
    Piano Combination Swell    
               
William A. Johnson
Westfield, Mass. – Opus 164 (1864)
Mechanical action
3 manuals, 42 ranks


The original organ in the present church building was built in 1864 by William A. Johnson of Westfield, Mass. Specifications of this organ have not yet been located.
               
George Jardine & Son
New York City (<1863)
Mechanical action


Specifications of this organ have not yet been located.
               
Sources:
     The Diapason (Nov. 1910). Stoplist of Austin Organ, Op. 302 (1910). Courtesy Jeff Scofield.
     "Dr. Cuyler's New Organ," The Brooklyn Eagle (Nov. 28, 1886).
     Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church web site: http://www.lapcbrooklyn.org
     Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church Organ Project web site: http://www.lafayetteorgan.com
     Lee, Gary. "Brooklyn's Bridge to the Past," The Washington Post (Mar. 7, 2001).
     The New Music Review (Nov. 1910):601. Specifications of Austin Organ, Op. 302 (1910).
     Ochse, Orpha. Austin Organs. Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 2001.
     Stiles, Henry R.History of the City of Brooklyn. Including the Old Town and Village of Brooklyn, The Town of Bushwick, and The Village and City of Williamsburgh. 1867-70.
     Van Pelt, William T., comp. The Hook Opus List, 1829-1916 in Facsimile. Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 1991.

Illustrations:
     The Brooklyn Daily Eagle.Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Collection. Exterior photo of church (1906).
     Glück, Sebastian M. Organ case (from below) and console of Austin Organ, Op. 302-A (1968).
     Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church web site. Organ case (1910).
     Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church Organ Project web site. Organ case (c.2008); 1958 Austin organ console.
               
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