St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral - New York City (photo: NYC Architecture Image)
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Cathedral of St. Sava
(Serbian Orthodox)

20 West 25th Street
New York, N.Y. 10001
http://www.stsavanyc.org


Organ Specifications:
► III/44 J.H. & C.S. Odell, Op. 548 (1922)
► III/39 J.H. & C.S. Odell, Op. 107 (1871)
► III/21 Hall & Labagh (1853)


Gracing Manhattan's historic Chelsea District, the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava is a splendid example of Gothic Revival architecture. The former Trinity Chapel and the then uptown branch of Trinity Church on Wall Street was designed in 1851 by the celebrated architect Richard M. Upjohn. It served local Episcopalians for the next 92 years, including the renowned author Edith Wharton, who not only was married in the Chapel, but who also immortalized the milieu and the church in The Age of Innocence, her classic novel of Victorian New York Life.

St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral - New York City (photo: NYC Architecture Image)  
For nearly a century and a half, this magnificent church has housed many remarkable artworks designed by Upjohn. These include stained glass windows (some in perilously delicate condition), an exquisite stained glass rosette window, intricately carved interior fretwork, and the beautifully designed inlaid tile floor. Other artworks in the church include fourteen large-scale religious painting by Rachel Richardson which adorn the niches along the main walls of the nave. Unusual examples of polychrome decorative painting surround the altar area, and an impressive, hand-carved wooden pulpit with superb religious carvings complete the treasure trove of divine artistry.

Around the turn of the century, the neighborhood began to change as local residents moved to more fashionable areas. Slowly but irrevocably, what was once uptown became midtown. Despite noble efforts to revitalize the parish, Trinity Church opted to sell Trinity Chapel in the early 1940s. In 1943, the decision was made in favor of the small but dynamic Serbian congregation, and the fortuitous Serbian people became the proud owners of this stately church.

On June 11, 1944, Trinity Chapel was formally consecrated as the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava. It was the first Serbian Orthodox Church on the East Coast, thus becoming the gateway church and spiritual center for the Serbian people, visiting dignitaries, and other Orthodox Christians.

St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral - New York City (photo: NYC Architecture Image)  
In keeping with Orthodox church architectural tradition, a large Iconostasis (altar screen), carved at the Monastery of St. Naum in Yugoslavia, and containing 40 richly painted icons, was installed. Outside, a round mosaic of St. Sava, Patron Saint of the Serbian people and most honored namesake of the Cathedral, was placed about the exterior center doors, adding a Byzantine note to the imposing Gothic facade, and completing this unique synthesis of two great traditions.

The Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava is distinguished as a landmark building by the National Register of Historic Places, U.S Department of the Interior, and the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.
               
  Odell Organ Console - Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava - New York City (Photo: John Bishop)
J.H. & C.S. Odell
New York City – Opus 548 (1922)
Electro-pneumatic key and stop action
3 manuals, 48 stops, 44 ranks
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
16
   Double Open Diapason
61
4
   Principal
61
8
   First Diapason
61
4
   Flute Harmonic
61
8
   Second Diapason
61
2
   Fifteenth
61
8
   Doppelflöte
61
     Mixture III ranks
183
8
   Viola d'Amour
61
8
   Tuba
61
8
   Gemshorn
61
        

     

     
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Gedeckt
73
2
   Flautino
61
8
   Open Diapason
73
     Dolce Cornet III ranks
183
8
   Stopped Diapason
73
16
   Contra Fagotta
73
8
   Salicional
73
8
   Cornopean
73
8
   Vox Celeste [TC]
61
8
   Oboe
73
8
   Aeoline
73
8
   Vox Humana
61
8
   Unda Maris [TC]
61
4
   Clarion
73
4
   Principal
73
     Tremolo  
2
   Rohr Flöte
73
        

     

     
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Violin Diapason
73
4
   Flute d'Amour
73
8
   Concert Flute
73
2
   Piccolo
61
8
   Viole d'Orchestre
73
8
   French Horn
73
8
   Quintadena
73
8
   Clarinet
73
8
   Dulciana
73
 
   Tremolo  
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16
   First Diapason
32
8
   Flute
GT
16
   Second Diapason
GT
8
   Gedeckt
SW
16
   Bourdon
32
16
   Trombone
32
16
   Gedeckt
SW
16
   Contra Fagotta
SW
8
   Cello
32
        
               

J.H. & C.S. Odell
New York City – Opus 107 (1871)
Mechanical action
3 manuals, 33 stops, 39 ranks


On June 15, 1871, a contract was made with the J.H. & C.S. Odell Company of New York City to rebuild the 1853 Hall & Labagh organ in Trinity Chapel. The cost of this work was $8,350.00, payable after the organ's performance was certified by Mr. W. B. Gilbert, organist of Trinity Chapel. Following is an excerpt from the contract:

Specifications for rebuilding the organ in Trinity Chapel N.Y.

          The mechanical part of the instrument to be made entirely new throughout except the Bellows.
          The pipes to be restored, revoiced & such pipes & stops added as may be necessary to render the organ complete according to the annexed scheme.
          The whole of the work to be kept within the arch and the opening of the arch to be filled with speaking pipes of burnished tin.
          The whole to be made of the best materials & workmanship under the supervision of Mr. W. B. Gilbert.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 58 notes
16
   Contra Gamba [1-7 wood]
58
2 2/3
  Twelfth
58
8
   Open Diapason
58
2
   Fifteenth
58
8
   Gamba [7 lower notes grooved]
58
     Sesquialtra [sic], 4 ranks
232
8
   Stop Diapason
58
8
   Trumpet
58
4
   Principal
58
4
   Clarion
58

     

     
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 58 notes, enclosed
16
   Douple Open [Bourdon bass]
58
4
   Principal
58
8
   Open Diapason
58
     Mixture, 4 ranks
232
8
   Salicional
58
16
   Contra Oboe
58
8
   Dulciana [grooved bass]
58
8
   Cornopean
58
8
   Stop Diapason
58
8
   Oboe
58
4
   Flute Dulce
58
        

     

     
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 58 notes
8
   Keraulophon
58
4
   Flute
58
8
   Dulce [grooved bass]
58
4
   Principal
58
8
   Melodia [Stop Dia. bass]
58
8
   Clarionet [TC]
46
               
Pedal Organ – 29 notes
32
   Sub Bourdon
29
16
   Gamba
29
16
   Bourdon
29
8
   Violoncello
29
16
   Double Open Diapason
29
16
   Trombone
29
               
Couplers &c.
1.
   Choir to Pedal          
2.
   Great to Pedal          
3.
   Swell to Pedal          
4.
   Swell to Great          
5.
   Swell to Choir          
6.
   Three Compositions on Great Organ  
7.
   Two Compositions on the Swell  
8.
   Bellows Signal  
               
Hall & Labagh
New York City (1853)
Mechanical key and stop action
3 manuals, 33 stops, 21 ranks (47 ranks if completed)


This small organ was installed with just over half of its intended stops. It remained in an unfinished state until it was replaced by an Odell organ in 1871. The pipes were installed in a "U"-shaped chamber on the left side of the chancel, and the console was detached and reversed.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 56 notes ("forcibly voiced")
8
   Open Diapason * [large scale]
56
2
   Fifteenth *
56
8
   Open Diapason [small scale]       Sesquialtera, 3 ranks  
8
   Stopd Diapason *
56
     Mixture, 3 ranks  
4
   Principal *
56
8
   Trumpet *
56
4
   Open Flute  
4
   Clarion  
2 2/3
   Twelfth *
56
        

     

     
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 56 notes, enclosed ("triple boxes & shades")
16
   Stopt Double Diapason *
56
4

Principal *
56
8
   Open Diapason *
56
  

Cornet, 5 ranks * [TC?]
216?
8
   Stopt Diapason *
56
8

Trumpet *
56
8
   Dulciana  
8
   Hautboy  

   

   

Choir Organ (Manual I) – 56 notes [C-g3], enclosed ("delicately voiced")
8
   Open Diapason
2 2/3
   Twelfth  
8
   Dulciana *
56
2
   Fifteenth  
8
   Stopt Diapason *
56
     Dulciana Sesquialtera, 3 ranks
4
   Principal *
56
8
   Reed ["Bassoon bass & Clarionet trebles"]
4
   Flute stopt  
 
  
               
Pedals – 25 notes?
16
   Open Diapason *
25
     Sesquialtera, 5 ranks
125
16
   Dulciana
16
   Serpent ["soft free reed"]  
8
   Principal *
25
        
           
* stops actually installed
               
Sources:
     The Diapason (June 1922). Stoplist of J.H. & C.S. Odell organ, Op. 548 (1922). Courtesy Jeff Scofield.
     Dunlap, David W. From Abyssinian to Zion: A Guide to Manhattan's Houses of Worship. New York: Columbia University Press, 2004.
     New York Architecture Images web site: www.nyc-architecture.com/
     Ogasapian, John. English Cathedral Music in New York: Edward Hodges of Trinity Church. Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 1994.
     Ogasapian, John. Organ Building in New York City: 1700-1900. Braintree: The Organ Literature Foundation, 1977.
     Sumner, William L. The Organ: Its Evolution, Principles of Construction and Use. London: MacDonald & Co., 1952. Specification of J.H. & C.S. Odell organ, Op. 107 (1871). Courtesy Jonathan Bowen.
     Trupiano, Larry. Facsimile of original contract for J.H. & C.S. Odell organ, Op. 107 (1871).

Illustrations:
     New York Architecture Images web site. Interior.
     The Organ Clearing House. Console of J.H. & C.S. Odell organ, Op. 548 (1922). Courtesy John Bishop.