First Presbyterian Church - Jamaica (Queens), NY (photo: John Roleke)
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First Presbyterian Church

89-60 164th Street
Jamaica (Queens), N.Y. 11432
http://www.firstchurchjamaica.org/


Organ Specifications:
► III/44 Kilgen Organ Service Company (1991)
► III/26 M.P. Möller, Op. R-789 (1968)
► III/ M.P. Möller console, Order M-14129 (1963)
• III/80reg M.P. Möller, Op. 6216 (1933)
• II/10 Frank Roosevelt, Op. 474 (1890)
► I/7 George Jardine (1850)
• II/3 Austin Organs Inc., Op. 1787 (1931) – Chapel




The First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica was organized in 1662, over a hundred years before the founding of the country, and is perhaps the oldest continuously serving Presbyterian congregation in the United States. Even though there are older Presbyterian congregations on Long Island, it has never interrupted service under three flags, the Dutch, the English, and the U.S. It has roots in the New Netherlands settlement of Rust Dorp, meaning "Quiet Village," and now, located on the same property, its three buildings are in the heart of Jamaica Center, the most diverse county in the United States of America.

The original congregation began holding worship services in a public meeting house in what was then a sleepy, pastoral village with a sprinkling of farms and thick forests. That area is now metropolitan Jamaica, where extensive office and commercial redevelopment is underway.

1699 Stone Church - Jamaica (Queens), NY  
In 1699, the villagers built a forty-foot square stone church in the middle of the main road, now Jamaica Avenue, opposite Union Hall Street. The congregations of what are now known as Grace Episcopal, First Reformed, and First Presbyterian worshiped as one congregation from 1662 until 1702, when they were then allowed to become three congregations. The pastors of these congregations continue to meet monthly for prayer and planning. The churches jointly provide soup kitchen every weekday, along with new partners from the Catholic and Salvation Army traditions.

  First Presbyterian Church - Jamaica (Queens), NY
In 1813, the stone church was razed and replaced by the current building a block away on a farm that extended from what is now Jamaica Avenue to north of Hillside Avenue. It faced Jamaica Avenue near 163rd Street.

In 1920, the 1813 church was placed on logs and pulled by mule to its current location around the corner facing 164th Street. In the same year, the 1834 manse, which had faced Jamaica Avenue at 164th Street, was moved to its present location facing 164th Street between the sanctuary and the soon-to-be-built Magill House. This manse was not used as such from 1870-1926 because of the "noise of farm market wagons and horse cars," and later "motor vehicles, clanging trolley cars, and the thunderous elevated railway." Today the manse is the operational base for the First Jamaica Community & Urban Development for the community.

In 1925, a large church house known as Magill Memorial Building was erected to accommodate the Sunday School, church offices, and other activities, with a gym, bowling alleys, auditorium, parlor, library and classrooms. The church demonstrated that it was aware of the importance providing a safe and spiritually nourishing environment for the community.
         
  First Presbyterian Church - Jamaica (Queens), NY
Kilgen Organ Service Company
Long Island City, N.Y. (1991)
Direct-electric action
3 manuals, 66 registers, 34 stops, 44 ranks






In 1990-91, the Kilgen Organ Service Comany rebuilt the 1968 Möller organ with direct electric action. Kilgen also installed an entirely new Great division on exposed cantilevered chests on either side of the chancel, and added or replaced ranks in the Swell, Choir and Pedal. John H. Hendriksen of Pembroke, Mass., voiced the new and selected existing ranks. The Möller console was refurbished with a 4-level solid state combination action.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, unenclosed
16
   Bourdon *
73
4
   Flute Octaviante (fr. H. Fl.)
—
8
   Diapason
61
2
   Super Octave
61
8
   Principal *
61
2
   Koppelflöte (fr. 4')
—
8
   Bourdon (fr. 16')
—
     Mixture IV-VI ranks
306
8
   Harmonic Flute *
61
8
   Cromorne
61
        [1-12 common with Bourdon]
8
   Bombarde
CH
8
   Harmonic Flute Celeste (TC) *
49
8
   Hooded Trompette *
61
4
   Octav *
61
     Chimes  
4
   Koppelflöte
61
     Great Unison Off  
 
      
 
      
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Rohrflöte
97
  Petit Jeu III ranks
183
8
   Rohrflöte (fr. 16')
—
16
   Contre Trompette
85
8
   Viol *
73
8
   Trompette (fr. 16')
—
8
   Viol Celeste (TC) *
61
4
   Clairon (fr. Contre Tpt)
—
4
   Prestant *
61
8
   Oboe
61
4
   Zauberflöte *
73
8
   Vox Humana
61
2 2/3
   Nazard
73
 
Tremolo
2
   Octavin *
61
  Swell to Swell 16'
2
   Flûte Magique
—
  Swell Unison Off  
1 1/3
   Quint (fr. Nazard)
—
  Swell to Swell 4'  
1
   Fife
—
     
               
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Choral Principal
61
     Mixture III ranks
183
8
   Gedeckt
61
8
   Cor Anglais *
61
8
   Gemshorn
61
8
   Cromorne
GT
8
   Gemshorn Celeste (TC) *
49
8
   Bombarde *
73
4
   Spitz Principal
73
4
   Bombarde Clarion (fr. 8')
—
4
   Nachthorn
61
8
   Hooded Trompette
GT
2
   Spitz Octav (fr. 4')
—
  Tremolo
2
   Cor de Nuit (fr. Nachthorn)
—
     Choir to Choir 16'  
1 1/3
   Larigot (TC)
49
     Choir Unison Off  
  Sesquialtera II ranks
122
     Choir to Choir 4'  
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16
   Principal (ext. GT 8') *
digital
32
   Cornet (derived)
—
16
   Subbass
44
32
   Bombarde (ext. 16') *
digital
16
   Bourdon
GT
16
   Bombarde (ext. CH)
12
16
   Rohrbass
SW
16
   Trompette
SW
16
   Violon (ext. SW Viol)
12
8
   Bombarde
CH
8
   Principal
GT
4
   Clairon
CH
8
   Flute (fr. Subbass)
—
4
   Cromorne
SW
4
   Octave
GT
2
   Cornet
SW
    Pedal Mixture
GT
8
   Hooded Trompette
GT
               
           
* new (1989)
Couplers
    Great to Pedal 8'   Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'
    Swell to Pedal 8', 4'   Choir to Great 16', 8', 4'
    Choir to Pedal 8', 4'   Swell to Choir 16', 8', 4'
               
Adjustable Combinations
   
Swell Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 (thumb)
Great Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6 (thumb)
Choir Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5 (thumb)
Pedal Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6 (toe)
Full Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb & toe)
               
Pedal Movements
    Balanced Expression Pedal – Swell Organ
    Balanced Expression Pedal – Great-Choir Organ
    Balanced Crescendo Pedal with indicator
    Great to Pedal reversible toe stud and piston
    Swell to Pedal reversible toe stud and piston
    Choir to Pedal reversible toe stud and piston
    Sforzando reversible toe stud and piston
           
  M.P. Moller Organ, Op. R-789 (1968) in First Presbyterian Church - Jamaica (Queens), NY
   
  M.P. Moller Organ, Op. R-789 (1968) in First Presbyterian Church - Jamaica (Queens), NY
M. P. Möller, Inc.
Hagerstown, Md. – Opus R-789 (1968)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals, 46 registers, 20 stops, 26 ranks






The Factory Contract (Oct. 13, 1967; rev. Jan. 27, 1968) shows that M.P. Möller rebuilt their Op. 6216 from 1933. Möller added 16 new ranks of pipes, revoiced most of the others, and retained the 1963 Möller console. The electro-pneumatic organ was voiced on 5" wind pressure.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, unenclosed
16
   Quintadena (TC)
—
2
   Super Octave (fr. 4')
—
8
   Principal
61
     Mixture III ranks
183
8
   Quintadena
73
     Sesquialtera II ranks
122
8
   Gemshorn
61
     Harp  
4
   Octave
73
     Chimes  
4
   Quintadena (fr. 8')
—
     Great Unison Off  
 
      
 
      
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Rohrflöte
97
1
   Rohrflöte
—
8
   Rohrflöte (fr. 16')
—
  Zimbel III ranks
183
8
   Viola
73
8
   Trompette
73
8
   Voix Celeste
61
8
   Oboe
61
4
   Principal
61
4
   Clairon (fr. Trompette)
—
4
   Rohrflöte (fr. 16')
—
4
  
Rohrschalmei
preparation
4
   Violina (fr. 8')
—
  Tremolo  
2 2/3
   Nasat
73
     Swell to Swell 16'  
2
   Rohrflöte
—
     Swell Unison Off  
1 1/3
   Larigot (fr. Nasat)
—
     Swell to Swell 4'  
               
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Gedeckt
61
  Sesquialtera II ranks
GT
8
   Quintadena
GT
8
   Krummhorn
61
4
   Spitzprinzipal
73
  Tremolo
2
   Spitzprinzipal (fr. 4')
—
  Choir to Choir 16'  
1 1/3
   Larigot (TC)
49
  Choir Unison Off  
  Mixture III ranks
GT
  Choir to Choir 4'  
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16
   Subbass
44
4
   Octave
GT
16
   Rohrflöte
SW
     Gross Tertian II ranks
64
16
   Violone (ext. SW Viola)
12
     Sesquialtera II ranks
GT
8
   Principal (ext. GT Octave)
12
16
   Contra Trompette (ext. SW)
12
8
   Bass Flute
—
8
   Trompette
SW
8
   Viola
SW
4
   Clairon
SW
8
   Gemshorn
GT
2
   Cornet
SW
               
Couplers
    Great to Pedal 8'   Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'
    Swell to Pedal 8', 4'   Choir to Great 16', 8', 4'
    Choir to Pedal 8', 4'   Swell to Choir 16', 8', 4'
               
Adjustable Combinations
   
Swell Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 (thumb)
Great Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6 (thumb)
Choir Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5 (thumb)
Pedal Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6 (toe)
Full Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb & toe)
               
Pedal Movements
    Balanced Expression Pedal – Swell Organ
    Balanced Expression Pedal – Great-Choir Organ
    Balanced Crescendo Pedal with indicator
    Great to Pedal reversible toe stud and piston
    Swell to Pedal reversible toe stud and piston
    Choir to Pedal reversible toe stud and piston
    Sforzando reversible toe stud and piston
         
M. P. Möller, Inc.
Hagerstown, Md. – Order M-14129 (1963)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals, 47 registers


In 1963, M.P. Möller was contracted to install a new three-manual electro-pneumatic detached drawknob console for the existing Möller organ, Op. 6216 (1933). This console was retained when Möller rebuilt the organ in 1968. Möller also provided a new Pedal relay and 50 sq. ft. of expression shades and actions. Following is the console specification:
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, unenclosed
16
   Quintadena  
4
   Quintadena  
8
   Principal  
2
   Super Octave  
8
   Quintadena       Mixture II ranks  
8
   Gemshorn       Mixture IV ranks  
4
   Octave       Great Unison Off  
 
      
 
      
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Rohrflöte  
2
   Rohrflöte  
8
   Rohrflöte  
  Plein Jeu III ranks  
8
   Viola  
8
   Trompette  
8
   Voix Celeste  
8
   Oboe  
4
   Principal  
4
   Clairon  
4
   Rohrflöte  
4
   Rohrschalmei  
4
   Violina  
  Tremulant  
2 2/3
   Nasat       Swell to Swell 16'  
2
   Rohrflöte       Swell Unison Off  
1 3/5
   Terz       Swell to Swell 4'  
               
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Gedeckt  
  Mixture II ranks  
8
   Quintadena  
8
   Krummhorn  
8
   Gemshorn  
  Tremulant  
4
   Spitzprinzipal       Choir to Choir 16'  
2
   Spitzprinzipal       Choir Unison Off  
1 1/3
   Larigot (TC)       Choir to Choir 4'  
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16
   Subbass  
4
   Octave  
16
   Rohrflöte       Mixture II ranks  
16
   Violone       Gross Tertian II ranks
8
   Principal  
16
   Contra Trompette  
8
   Bass Flute  
8
   Trompette  
8
   Rohrflöte  
4
   Clairon  
8
   Viola  
2
   Cornet  
               
Couplers
    Great to Pedal 8'   Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'
    Swell to Pedal 8', 4'   Choir to Great 16', 8', 4'
    Choir to Pedal 8', 4'   Swell to Choir 16', 8', 4'
               
Adjustable Combinations
   
Swell Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 (thumb)
Great Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6 (thumb)
Choir Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5 (thumb)
Pedal Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6 (toe)
Full Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb & toe)
               
Pedal Movements
    Balanced Expression Pedal – Swell Organ
    Balanced Expression Pedal – Great-Choir Organ
    Balanced Crescendo Pedal with indicator
    Great to Pedal reversible toe stud and piston
    Swell to Pedal reversible toe stud and piston
    Choir to Pedal reversible toe stud and piston
    Sforzando reversible toe stud and piston
           
M. P. Möller, Inc.
Hagerstown, Md. – Opus 6216 (1933)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals, 80 registers


Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.
           
Frank Roosevelt
New York City – Opus 474 (1890)
Tracker-pneumatic action
2 manuals, 10 stops


Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.
           
George Jardine
New York City (1850)
Mechanical action
1 manual, 7 stops, 7 ranks


This organ was built in 1850 by George Jardine of New York City. In 1890 the organ was acquired by the First Presbyterian of Springfield Garden. The following specification was recorded (May 11, 1916) by Louis F. Mohr, an organ service concern in the area, when the organ was in Springfield Garden. Mr. Mohr noted that the organ had a painted oak case with 19 'dummy' (non-speaking) front pipes.
               
Manual – 54 notes, enclosed
8
   Open Diapason 54        
8
   St. Diapason Treble 54        
8
   St. Diapason Bass        
8
   Dulciana 54        
4
   Flute 54        
4
   Principal 54        
2
   Fifteenth 54        
8
   Trumpet 54        
               
Pedal – 13 notes
    no stops;
probably permanently coupled to manual 		     
               
Accessories
    Bellows signal
    Hook pedal
           
Chapel Organ:

Austin Organs Inc.
Hartford, Conn. – Opus 1787 (1931)
Electro-pneumatic action
2 manuals, 3 ranks


In 1931, the church rented a small two-manual Austin organ for use in the chapel. This organ was later sold to Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Torrington, Conn., and was later moved to the C. C. Schaeffer Residence in Schenectady, N.Y.

Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.
           
Sources:
     First Presbyterian Church of Jamaica website: http://www.firstchurchjamaica.org/
     History of Queens County, New York, with Illustrations, Portraits & Sketches. New York: W.W. Munsell & Co., 1882.
     Ochse, Orpha. Austin Organs. Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 2001.
     Trupiano, Larry. Factory Contract for M.P. Möller console, Order M-14129.
     Trupiano, Larry. Factory Contract for M.P. Möller organ, Op. R-789 (1968).
     Trupiano, Larry. Factory Contract for Kilgen Organ Service Company organ rebuild (1989).
     Mohr, Louis F. & Co. Specification (May 11, 1916) of George Jardine organ (1850). Courtesy Larry Trupiano.

Illustrations:
     First Presbyterian Church of Jamaica website. Interior showing organ pipes.
     History of Queens County, New York, with Illustrations, Portraits & Sketches. Engravings of churches built in 1699 and 1813.
     Roleke, John. Exterior.
     Trupiano, Larry. M.P. Möller organ, Op. R-789 (1968) and church interior.