1908 postcard of the South Reformed Church - Brooklyn, NY
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South Reformed Church

Fourth Avenue at 55th Street
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11220


Organ Specifications:
Fourth Avenue at 55th Street (c.1905-1975)
► II/20 M.P. Möller, Inc., Op. 1115 (1910)
► II/22 J.H. & C.S. Odell, Op. 144? (1875) – moved
Third Avenue and 52nd Street (1875-c.1905)
► II/22 J.H. & C.S. Odell, Op. 144? (1875)
22nd Street and Third Avenue (?-1850)
• unknown
43rd Street and Third Avenue (c.1840-burned 1863)
• unknown


The South Reformed Church, an offshoot of the First Reformed Church, was organized in July 1840. Its first building was a plain wooden structure measuring 40 by 60 feet that stood at the corner of 43rd Street and Third Avenue. At some point, the consistory bought the former Fourth Avenue Presbyterian Church, located at 22nd Street and Third Avenue, and for several years services were held alternately in the morning and evening in the two churches. About 1850, the congregation divided into two portions: those worshiping in the 22nd Street church (known as the Gowanus Church) moved to Twelfth Street, where they were then known as the Twelfth Street Reformed Church. In March 1863, the 43rd Street church burned, but it was not until 1875 that the congregation built a new church on Third Avenue at 52nd Street. At some point, about 1905, a new church was built on Fourth Avenue at 55th Street. In 1975, South Reformed merged with Bay Ridge United Presbyterian to form Bay Ridge United Church.
               
M.P. Möller, Inc.
Hagerstown, Md. – Opus 1115 (1910)
Tubular-pneumatic action
2 manuals, 22 stops, 20 ranks


In an M.P. Möller ledger book is a handwritten copy of the Letter of Agreement of March 26, 1910, between Möller and the South Reformed Church. Möller agreed to build a two-manual organ with tubular-pneumatic action and casing of quartered oak that would be ready for use on or before the 1st day of September 1910; however, the organ was not shipped until September 3rd. Möller also replaced the old water motor with a new one. The total cost of the organ was $4,500, less an allowance of $1,000 for the old organ, then in the church, which became the property of Möller.

Louis F. Mohr & Co., a longtime organ service firm in the area, recorded the specifications (on March 16, 1919) and noted that the organ had 43 front pipes and a case of oak.
               
Great Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes
8
   Open Diapason
61
8
   Doppel Floete
61
8
   Dulciana
61
4
   Octave
61
8
   Viola di Gamba
61
4
   Flute Harmonic
61
               
Swell Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Lieblich Gedeckt Bass
12
8
   Quintadena
73
16
  Lieblich Gedeckt Treble [TC]
61
4
   Violina
73
8
  Open Diapason
73
4
   Flauto Traverso
73
8
   Stopped Diapason
73
8
   Cornopean
73
8
   Salicional
73
8
   Oboe
73
8
  Vox Celeste [TC]
61
8
  
Vox Humana
61
8
   Aeoline
73
        
               
Pedal Organ – 30 notes
16
   Open Diapason [unit]
42
8
   Octave
—
16
   Bourdon [unit]
42
8
   Flute
—
               
Couplers
    Great to Pedal 8'       Great to Great 4'  
    Swell to Pedal 8'       Swell to Swell 4'  
    Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'          
               
Mechanicals
    Tremulant   Crescendo Indicator
    Wind Indicator    
               
Adjustable Combination Pistons
    Pistons No. 1-2-3 affecting Swell & Pedal stops  
    Pistons No. 4-5-6 affecting Great & Pedal stops  
       
Pedal Movements
    Great to Pedal Reversible    
    Balanced Swell Pedal    
    Grand Crescendo Pedal  
    Six Pedal Pistons (duplicating manual pistons)  
               
Accessories
    Water Motor ("which does not supply full organ" – Louis F. Mohr & Co.)
             
Organ in church located at Third Avenue and 52nd Street:

J.H. & C.S. Odell
New York City – Opus 144? (1875)
Mechanical action
2 manuals, 19 stops, 22 ranks


For their new church building on Third Avenue and 52nd Street, an organ was built in 1875 by J.H. & C.S. Odell of New York City. It is believed that this was Odell's opus 144.

On Thursday evening, December 9, 1875, the organ "was exhibited before a numerous and appreciative audience" by organists George W. Morgan (Brooklyn Tabernacle), Henry Eyre Browne (Clinton Avenue Congregational), and Mr. C. A. Porter (South Reformed), with vocalists Miss Clementine V. Lasar and Mr. George Simpson.

This organ was apparently moved to the new church on Fourth Avenue at 55th Street.
               
Great Organ (Manual I) – 56 notes
8
   Open Diapason
56
4
   Wald Flute [TC]
44
8
   Keraulophon
56
2 2/3
  Twelfth
56
8
   Dulce [TC]
44
2
   Fifteenth
56
8
   Stop Diapason Bass
12
     Mixture, 3 ranks
168
8
   Clarionet Flute [TC]
44
8
   Trumpet [TC]
44
4
   Principal
56
        
               
Swell Organ (Manual II) – 56 notes, enclosed
16
  Bourdon Bass
12
4
   Principal
56
16
  Double Diapason [TC]
44
     Cornet, 2 ranks
112
8
   Open Diapason
56
2
   Fifteenth
56
8
   Dulciana [TC]
44
8
   Hautboy [TC]
44
8
  Stop Diapason Bass
12
     Tremulant
8
   Stop Diapason Treble [TC]
44
        
               
Pedal Organ – 25 notes
16
   Double Open Diapason
25
      
—
               
Couplers
    Patent Reversible Manual   Pedal to Swell
    Swell to Great   Pedal to Great
               
Compositions
1.
   Wald Flute
2.
   Dulce
3.
   Dulce and Clarionet Flute
4.
   Clarionet Flute and Wald Flute
5.
   Keraulophon, Dulce, Clarionet Flute
6.
   All 8 ft. stops
7.
   Full to Principal
8.
   Full Great Organ
               
Sources:
     "A Church's Half Century," The New York Times (Oct. 27, 1890).
     Letter of Agreement (Mar. 26, 1910) in M.P. Möller Ledger Book with specifications of M.P. Möller organ, Op. 1115 (1910). Courtesy Larry Trupiano.
     Mohr, Louis F. & Co. Specifications (Mar. 6, 1919) of M.P. Möller Organ, Op. 1115 (1910). Courtesy Larry Trupiano.
     "Organ Exhibition," Brooklyn Eagle (Dec. 10, 1875: 4). Specifications of J.H. & C.S. Odell organ (1875).

Illustration:
     eBay.com: 1908 postcard of South Reformed Church.