Hebrew Tabernacle Congregation - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)
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Fourth Church of Christ, Scientist

551 Fort Washington Avenue at West 185th Street
New York, N.Y. 10033


Organ Specifications:
551 Fort Washington Avenue at 185th Street (1932-1973)
► III/16 Henry Pilcher's Sons, Op. 1536 (1932)
Fort Washington Avenue at 178th Street (1918-1932)
► III/32 Hook & Hastings, Op. 2402 (1917)
West 82nd Street near Broadway (?-1918)
• unknown


In 1895, Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, asked two of her students to establish a Christian Science church on the West Side of Manhattan. Known as the West Church of Christ, Scientist, the society met in various quarters, including a building on West 82nd Street near Broadway. In 1901, the society was renamed "Fourth Church of Christ, Scientist." On May 26, 1918, Fourth Church held its first service in a new building located on Fort Washington Avenue at 178th Street. This property was sold in 1929 to the Port of New York Authority, which razed the area in preparation for the approach to the George Washington Bridge. The cornerstone for a new edifice, located a few blocks to the north on the northwest corner of Fort Washington Avenue and 185th Street, was laid on July 24, 1931, and the first services in the Art Deco-style building were held on May 22, 1932. In 1973, the church was closed and its building was acquired by the Hebrew Tabernacle and refitted for their use.
           
 

Henry Pilcher's Son Organ (ca.1932) at Fourth Church of Christ, Scientist (now Hebrew Tabernacle) - New York City (photo: Jeff Scofield)
Henry Pilcher's Sons
Louisville, Ky. – Opus 1536 (1932)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals, 38 stops, 16 ranks




The Pilcher organ built in 1932 for the Fourth Church of Christ, Scientist, was installed behind a unique organ case, "made of metal..., and not round but square or oblong with the feet following that same pattern. These peculiar pipes, against the tone of the wood-work and wall and ceiling treatment produce, an effect as delightful as it is unusual." [The American Organist, June 1932.]

At an unknown time, this organ was removed and replaced with an electronic instrument.
   
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed with Choir
8
*
 Diapason
73
4
  Octave
73
8
  Grossfloete [unit]
85
4
  Grossfloete
—
8
  Clarabella [unit]
85
     Tremulant  
8
  Gamba
73

 
* unenclosed

     

     
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Salicional [unit]
97
4
  Salicional
—
8
  English Diapason
73
2 2/3
  Salicional
—
8
  Gedeckt [unit]
85
2
  Salicional
—
8
  Salicional
—
8
  Cornopean
73
8
  Voix Celeste [TC]
61
8
   Vox Humana
61
8
  Aeoline
73

  Tremulant  
4
  Gedeckt
—
        

     

     
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Dulciana [unit]
97
4
   Clarabella
GT
8
   Dulciana
—
2 2/3
   Dulciana
—
8
   Clarabella
GT
2
   Dulciana
—
8
   Gamba
GT
8
   French Horn
73
4
   Dulciana
—
     Tremulant  

     

     
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
32
   Resultant [Dul. & Sal.]
—
8
   Dulciana
CH
16
   Diapason
32
8
   Grossfloete
GT
16
   Dulciana
CH
8
   Sub-Bass
—
16
   Sub-Bass
44
8
   Gamba
GT
16
   Gamba [ext. GT]
12
8
   Salicional
SW
16
   Salicional
SW
    
           
Organ in previous church located at Fort Washington Avenue at 178th Street:

Hook & Hastings Co.
Boston, Mass. – Opus 2402 (1917)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals, 35 stops, 32 ranks


The following specification was taken from The Diapason (Feb. 1918). No couplers were listed, and pipecounts shown below are suggested, based on similar Hook & Hastings organs of that era.
   
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
  First Open Diapason *
61
4
  Flute
61
8
  Second Open Diapason *
61
8
   Trumpet
61
8
  Hohl Flöte
61
     Cathedral Chimes
CH
8
   Gemshorn
61
     Harp
CH
4
   Octave *
61
    
* unenclosed

     

     
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Lieblich Bourdon
61
4
  Flute Traverso
61
8
  Open Diapason
61
     Solo Dolce Cornet III ranks
183
8
  Viole d'Orchestre
61
8
   Cornopean
61
8
  Voix Celeste [TC]
49
8
  Oboe
61
8
  Aeoline
61
8
   Vox Humana
61
8
   Gedeckt
61

  Tremolo  
8
   Quintadena
61
        

     

     
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Open Diapason
61
8
   Clarinet
61
8
   Geigen
61
     Tremolo  
8
   Melodia
61
8
   Swell Oboe
SW
8
   Flute Celeste [TC]
49
8
   Swell Vox Humana
SW
8
   Dulciana
61
    
Cathedral Chimes
20 notes
4
   Flute d'Amour
61
    
Harp
61 notes
2
   Piccolo
61
        

     

     
Pedal Organ – 32 notes (Augmented)
16
   Open Diapason [unit]
44
16
   Lieblich Gedeckt
SW
16
   Violone [unit]
44
8
   Unison Bass [ext.]
—
16
   Bourdon
32
8
   Violoncello [ext.]
—
           
Sources:
     "Another Small Three," The American Organist (June 1934). Stoplist of Henry Pilcher's Sons organ, Op. 1536 (1932). Courtesy Jeff Scofield.
     "Church Dedicated $385,000 Debt Paid," The New York Times (Nov. 30, 1936).
     Dunlap, David. From Abyssinian to Zion: A Guide to Manhattan's Houses of Worship. New York: Columbia University Press, 2004.
     "Hook-Hastings Organ in Three Chambers," The Diapason (Feb. 1, 1918). Specifications of Hook & Hastings Organ, Op. 2402 (1917). Courtesy Larry Trupiano.

Illustrations:
     The American Organist (June 1932). Organ case of Henry Pilcher's Sons organ, Op. 1536 (1932). Courtesy Jeff Scofield.
     Lawson, Steven E. Exterior.