Third Church of Christ, Scientist - New York City

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Third Church of Christ, Scientist

583 Park Avenue at 63rd Street
New York, N.Y. 10021


Organ Specifications:
583 Park Avenue at 63rd Street (since 1924):
► III/50 Austin Organs Inc., Op. 2328 (1960)
• III/- Aeolian-Skinner Organ Co., Op. 1227-A (1950)
► III/42 Estey Organ Company, Op. 2074 (1923)
111 East 58th Street (1920-1923) – Liederkranz Hall
• II/9 George S. Hutchings; reb. Edward J. Schlette (1920)
43 East 125th Street at Madison Avenue (1910s-1924):
► II/10 J.H. & C.S. Odell, Op. 325 (1854) – Chancel
► III/36 J.H. & C.S. Odell, Op. 129 (1873) – Gallery


Third Church of Christ, Scientist - New York City (photo: 283 Park Ave.)

 
Undated postcard of 125th Street edifice  
The Third Church of Christ, Scientist was incorporated in 1895 to serve the residents of Harlem. Originally known as the Metropolitan Third Church of Christ, Scientist, the name was changed in 1899 to conform with the uniform numerical system of designating Christian Science churches. In 1905, the society purchased the former Harlem Presbyterian Church, an enormous Victorian Gothic edifice designed and built in 1874 by D. & J. Jardine, and located at 43 East 125th Street at Madison Avenue.

  Third Church of Christ, Scientist - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)
In the 1920s, Third Church purchased a plot on the northeast corner of Park Avenue and 63rd Street, and hired Delano & Aldrich to design a new edifice. Completed in 1924, the red-brick, Georgian-style church is noted for its dome with lantern top, and the spacious auditorium with galleries on three sides. When viewed from Park Avenue, the church seems to be a book end to the nearby Colony Club, built in 1916 at 564 Park Avenue at 62nd Street, which was also designed by Delano & Aldrich.

Third Church of Christ, Scientist - New York City (photo: 283 Park Ave.)

 
In 2006, the church was granted permission by the Department of Buildings to transform its space so that it could be used as both a house of worship and a social hall. The large auditorium was cleared of all pews, but weekly services continue to be held in the room. As a result, the renovated room is also available for a variety of social events.
           
 

Wicks Organ Console at the Third Church of Christ, Scientist - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)

Austin Organs Inc.
Hardford, Conn. – Opus 2328 (1960)
Electro-pneumatic chest action
Solid State combination action
3 manuals, 38 stops, 50 ranks








In 1960, Austin Organs Inc. of Hartford, Conn., rebuilt the organ (Op. 2328) as a three-manual, 55-rank instrument, retaining the 1950 Aeolian-Skinner console. In 2000, the Wicks Organ Company of Highland, Ill., rebuilt the Echo division in the dome, installed a new three-manual drawknob console, and installed a solid state combination action.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
16
  Spitzflöte [ext.]  
2
   Principal  
8
  Principal       Mixture IV ranks  
8
  Rohrflöte       Chimes
EC
8
  Spitzflöte       Great 16'  
4
  Octave       Unison Off  
4
  Nachthorn       Great 4'  
2 2/3
   Quinte       Echo on Great  

     

     
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Bourdon  
16
   Fagotto [ext. Oboe]  
8
  Gedeckt  
8
  Trompette  
8
  Gamba  
8
   Oboe  
8
  Celeste  
4
   Clarion  
4
  Principal       Tremulant  
2
  Blockflöte       Swell 16'  
    Plein Jeu V ranks       Unison Off  
            Swell 4'  

     

     
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
  Bourdon  
8
  Trumpet  
8
  Flute Celeste II ranks       Tremulant  
4
  Koppelflöte       Choir 16'  
2
  Principal       Unison Off  
1 1/3
  Quinte       Choir 4'  
    Cymbel III ranks       Echo on Choir  
8
   Krummhorn          

     

     
Echo Organ (floating) – 61 notes, enclosed [in dome]
8
  Clarabella  
 
 
Harp [TC]
61 bars
8
  Vox Angelica  
 
 
Chimes
21 tubes
8
  Dulciana  
 
  Tremulant  
8
  Unda Maris  
 
  Echo 16'  
4
  Flute  
 
  Unison Off  
            Echo 16'  

     

     
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
32
  Acoustic Bass [derived]  
4
  Choral Bass  
16
  Principal  
4
  Rohrflöte
SW
16
  Subbass       Mixture III ranks  
16
  Spitzflöte
GT
16
  Trombone  
16
  Gedeckt
SW
16
  Contra Fagotto
SW
8
  Octave  
8
  Trumpet [ext.]  
8
  Spitzflöte
GT
4
  Clarion [ext.]  
8
  Rohrflöte
SW
    Tremulant  
           
Aeolian-Skinner Organ Company, Inc.
Boston, Mass. – Opus 1227-A (1950)
Electro-pneumatic action
3-manual console


In 1950, the Aeolian-Skinner Company of Boston, under the supervision of G. Donald Harrison, made repairs and tonal changes, and a new console was installed.
           
 

Estey Organ, Op. 2074 (1923) in the Third Church of Christ, Scientist - New York City (photo: Byron Company, 1925)

Estey Organ Company
Brattleboro, Vt. – Opus 2074 (1923)
Electro-pneumatic key action
4 manuals, 55 stops, 42 ranks




The original organ for the present Third Church of Christ, Scientist was built in 1923 by the Estey Organ Company of Brattleboro, Vt.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, partially enclosed with Choir (8" pressure)
16
  Open Diapason
61
4
  Harmonic Flute *
73
8
  First Open Diapason
61
4
  Octave
61
8
  Second Diapason *
73
8
  Bell Trumpet *
73
8
  Gross Flute
61
     Chimes
EC
8
  Clarabel Flute *
73
 
 
* enclosed with Choir

     

     
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed (8" pressure)
16
  Bourdon
73
4
  Flauto Traverso
73
8
  Diapason Phonon
73
2
  Flageolet
73
8
  Rohr Flöte
73
16
   Fagotta [reedless]
85
8
  Stopped Diapason
73
8
  Oboe [ext. Fagotta]
—
8
  Viol d'Orchestre
73
8
  Cornopean
73
8
  Viol Celeste [TC]
61
8
   Vox Humana
73
8
  Salicional
73
     Tremolo  
8
   Quintadena
73
        

     

     
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed (6" pressure)
16
   Contra Viole
73
2
  Piccolo
73
8
  Geigen Principal
73
8
  Clarinet [reedless]
73
8
  Concert Flute
73
    
Celesta [Estey Harp]
61 notes
4
  Flute d'Amour
73
     Tremolo  
               
Solo Organ (Manual IV) – 61 notes, enclosed (8" pressure)
8
   Stentorphone
73
8
   Orchestral Oboe
73
8
   Flauto Major
73
16
   Tuba Profunda
97
8
   Gamba Granda
73
8
   Harmonic Tuba [ext.]
—
8
   Gamba Celeste [TC]
61
4
   Harmonic Clarion [ext.]
—
4
   Wald Flöte
73
     Tremolo  

     

     
Echo Organ (Manual IV) – 61 notes, enclosed (6" pressure) [located in dome]
8
  Dulciana
73
4
  Fern Flute
73
4
   Vox Angelica [oct. above Dul.]
73
    
Chimes
20 tubular bells
8
  Clarabella
73
     Tremolo  
8
   Unda Maris [TC]
61
        

     

     
Pedal Organ – 32 notes (8" pressure)
32
   Resultant
—
8
   Flauto Dolce [Bourdon]
—
16
  Open Diapason
44
8
   Cello [Gamba Celeste]
SO
16
  Violone
32
16
  Fagotta
SW
16
  Bourdon
44
16
   Tuba Profunda
SO
16
  Lieblich Gedeckt
SW
8
   Harmonic Tuba
SO
16
  Contra Viole
CH
4
   Harmonic Clarion
SO
8
  Gross Flute [Op. Diap.]
—
        
               
Couplers
    31 couplers & Unison Releases  
               
Combination Pistons
   
Great & Pedal Pistons No. 1-2-3-4-5-6
Swell & Pedal Pistons No. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8
Choir & Pedal Pistons No. 1-2-3-4-5-6
Solo & Pedal Pistons No. 1-2-3-4-5-6
Echo & Pedal Pistons No. 1-2-3-4
Universal Pistons No. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8
               
Pedal Movements
    Balanced Pedal for Great & Choir Organs   Balanced Pedal for Echo Organ
    Balanced Pedal for Swell Organ   Balanced Crescendo Pedal
    Balanced Pedal for Solo Organ   Great to Pedal Reversible
           
Organ in previous location at 111 East 58th Street (Liederkranz Hall):

George S. Hutchings
Boston, Mass.
Electro-pneumatic action
2 manuals, 9 stops


After the church sold their property in Harlem, they met in Liederkranz Hall on East 58th Street, pending completion of the new church on Park Avenue. The organ in Liederkranz Hall was built by George Hutchings, and it was rebuilt in 1920 by Edward J. Schlette, who also installed a new Kinetic blower. Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.
           
Organ in edifice located at 43 East 125th Street:

Chancel Organ

J.H. & C.S. Odell
New York City –Opus 325 (1895)
Mechanical action
2 manuals, 10 stops, 10 ranks


In the chancel of the church was a small two-manual organ installed in 1895 by J.H. & C.S. Odell for Harlem Presbyterian Church, the previous owners of the building. This organ was Odell's "Style Twenty-seven."
               
Great Organ (Manual I) –58 notes
8
   Open Diapason
58
8
   Stopped Diapason Bass
12
8
   Dulciana [TC]
46
4
   Octave
58
8
   Melodia [TC]
46
   
       
 
      
Swell Organ (Manual II) –58 notes, enclosed
8
   Open Diapason [TC]
46
8
   Unison Bass
12
8
   Salicional
58
4
   Rohr Flöte
58
8
   Stopped Diapason [TC]
46
4
   Violina
58
       
 
      
Pedal Organ – 27 notes
16
   Bourdon
27
   
               
Couplers
    Swell to Pedal   Swell to Great
    Great to Pedal   Reversible Swell to Great
               
Mechanical Accessories
  Bellows Signal
  Balance Swell Pedal
  Tremulant
   
               
Pedal Movements
  Piano on Great Organ          
  Forte on Great Organ        
           
Organ in edifice located at 43 East 125th Street:

Gallery Organ

J.H. & C.S. Odell
New York City – Opus 129 (1873)
Mechanical action
3 manuals, 32 stops, 36 ranks


In the gallery was an organ built in 1873 by J.H. & C.S. Odell for the Harlem Presbyterian Church, previous owners of the building.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 58 notes
16
   Double Open Diapason
58
2 2/3
  Twelfth
58
8
   Grand Open Diapason
58
2
  Fifteenth
58
8
   Gamba
58
    Sesquialtera, 3 ranks
174
8
   Clarionet Flute
58
8
   Trumpet
58
4
   Harmonic Flute
58
4
  Clarion
58
4
   Principal
58
        
       
 
     
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 58 notes, enclosed
16
   Bourdon
58
  Cornet, 3 ranks
174
8
   Open Diapason
58
8
   Cornopean
58
8
   Salicional
58
8
  Vox Humana
58
8
   Stop Diapason
58
8
  Oboe & Bassoon bass
58
4
   Principal
58
  Tremulant  
2
   Piccolo
58
        
               
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 58 notes
8
   Keraulophon
58
4
   Violina
58
8
   Dulciana
58
2
   Flageolet
58
8
   Melodia
58
8
   Clarionet [TC]
46
4
   Wald Flute
58
        
       
 
     
Pedal Organ – 27 notes
16
   Grand Double Diapason
27
10 2/3
  Grand Quint
27
16
   Grand Bourdon
27
8
  Violoncello
27
               
Couplers &c
    Patent Reversible Coupler   Great Manual to Pedals
    Swell to Great Manuals   Swell Manual to Pedals
    Choir to Great Manual   Choir Manual to Pedals
    Swell to Choir Manual   Bellows Signal
               
Patent Pneumatic Compositions on Great Organ
1.
   Full Great Organ
5.
   Clarionet, Flute & Gamba
2.
   Full to Mixture
6.
   Gamba & Harmonic Flute
3.
   Full to Principal exc. Double
7.
   Clarionet Flute
4.
   All of the eight foot stops
8.
   Harmonic Flute
               
Patent Pneumatic Compositions on Swell Organ
1.
   Full Swell
5.
   Salicional & Stop Diapason
2.
   Full to Mixture
6.
   Oboe & Stop Diapason
3.
   Full to Principal without Double
7.
   Vox Humana
4.
   All of the eight foot stops
8.
   Salicional
               
Pedal Compositions
1.
   Piano          
2.
   Forte        
           
Sources:
     Aeolian-Skinner Archives web site: http://aeolianskinner.organsociety.org/Specs/Op01227.html
     Carnahan, John. Factory Shop Order for Estey Organ, Op. 2074 (1923).
     "Church in 125th St. Bought by Negroes," The New York Times (June 24, 1921).
     Dunlap, David W. and Joseph J. Vecchione. Glory in Gotham: Manhattan's Houses of Worship; A Guide to Their History, Architecture and Legacy. New York: City & Company, 2001.
     Dunlap, David W. From Abyssinian to Zion: A Guide to Manhattan's Houses of Worship. New York: Columbia University Press, 2004.
     The Estey Pipe Organ web site: www.esteyorgan.com
     "$500,000 Church for Park Av. Site," The New York Times (Mar. 28, 1920).
     Horsley, Carter. The Upper East Side Book: Park Avenue. http://www.thecityreview.com
     Kinzey, Allen, and Sand Lawn, comps. E.M. Skinner/Aeolian-Skinner Opus List. New Rev. Ed. Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 1997.
     "Open $1,000,000 Church. Christian Scientists Hold Services in New Park Avenue Building," The New York Times (Dec. 17, 1923).
     "Scientist Church to Build at Once," The New York Times (May 20, 1922).
     Shapiro, Gary. "Park Ave. Church Is Seeking To Host Bar Mitzvahs, Liquor," The New York Sun (Jan. 22, 2007).
     Trupiano, Larry. Factory Contract for J.H. & C.S. Odell Organ, Op. 129 (1873).
     Trupiano, Larry. Specification of J.H. & C.S. Odell "Style Twenty-seven" organ.

Illustrations:
     583 Park Ave. web site: http://www.583parkave.com. Exterior, renovated interior
     Byron Company (New York, N.Y.). Interior showing Estey Organ, Op. 2074 (1923).
     Lawson, Steven E. Church interior (2005); Wicks organ console.
     Trupiano, Larry. Undated postcard of edifice on East 125th Street.